The Riverside County Probation Department said it is prepared and has staff in place to supervise the 330
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) inmates scheduled for early release to the county as part of the state’s plan to slow the spread of COVID-19 in state prisons.
Approximately 300 of the individuals granted early release have 180 days or less left on their sentences, are not currently serving time for domestic violence or a violent crime, have no current or prior sentences that require them to register as a sex offender, and have an assessment score that indicates a low risk for violence, said a spokesperson for the department.
The remaining individuals have 365 days or less to serve on their sentences, meet the same crime and risk criteria, and reside within identified institutions that house large populations of high-risk patients.
Members of both groups must test negative for COVID-19 prior to their release. As of July 28, there were 1,465 inmates actively fighting COVID-19 and 47 inmate deaths reported by CDCR.
The department said it will work with partner agencies and community-based organizations to provide health, employment, and other services to facilitate a smooth re-entry and reinforce public safety.
The released inmates will be required to report to their local probation office where probation officers will initiate supervision, begin building a case plan, and arrange housing if needed.
“Our department is ready to manage the influx of new clients,” said Riverside County Chief Probation Officer Ronald L. Miller. “Most of these individuals were already scheduled to return to the county over the next few months. We are simply receiving them in a short period instead of staggered over time.”
