Some western Massachusetts sheriffs said this week that with more inmates being released early due to help curb the spread of COVID-19 in correctional facilities, some have had trouble once they were out of jail.
There have been reports of overdose deaths and crimes being committed.
Randy Gioia pushed back against those claims. He's with the state's public defenders agency, which has been fighting for tthe early release of some prisoners during the coronavirus pandemic.
"Some people die from overdoses after being released from jail," Gioia told NEPR. "And that's been happening for many years. This isn't something new because of COVID-19."
Panelist Ron Chimelis said he thinks that's a "simplistic explanation" from Gioia.
"Because if you're to believe that rehab has value — and the last two sheriffs in western Mass. and Hampden County have based their entire way of doing things on that — then you can't just discard it, and say it doesn't matter," Chimelis said. "Yes, there have been cases, as the public defender said, but I don't think to the degree. I think this is very disturbing, and I think Sheriff [Nick] Cocchi has a point."
Since the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court first allowed some limited releases, there has been a push to make more people eligible.
Panelist Dave Eisenstadter said he thinks that is something the court should consider.
"We should acknowledge that this is absolutely the correct decision, releasing these folks," Eisenstadter said. "They're in a dangerous environment, in an enclosed area — the prisons. And I think that these sheriffs are pointing out that there is a real dire need for these programs that were underfunded, and they weren't as strong as they should have been, in terms of getting re-released into society and having drug rehab programs that can really help people."
Eisenstadter said COVID-19 "has really just laid bare a lot of the societal problems that we have," like drug rehab, support for unemployment, and health care delivery.
"So this is just kind of another example of something being laid bare that should have been shored up a long time ago, in better times," he said.
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, many cities and state are requiring or urging residents to wear masks inside essential businesses, or even just when going out. Northampton, Massachusetts, is one community requiring everyone inside grocery stores to wear a face covering of some sort. There's also a similar requirement for the entire state of Connecticut.
Also this week, Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker officially shuttered school buildings for the rest of the academic year, with remote learning ongoing. Baker said there was no way, for now, to transport students safely to school and keep them far enough apart once there.
Guests:
- Ron Chimelis, reporter & columnist,Springfield Republican
- Dave Eisenstadter, veteran western Mass. journalist
