Suffolk County District Attorney working to release low risk prisoners who are vulnerable to COVID-19

District Attorney Rollins is working to make sure that individuals held in custody who are vulnerable because of their health, age, socio-economic status, or circumstances, but pose no meaningful risk to public safety are released from custody.

In a statement released today, Rollins stated that she is working with the criminal defense bar in identifying individuals whose release is deemed urgent and necessary for public health reasons.

“While Americans across the country are being encouraged to self-isolate, members of our incarcerated population are, by definition, doing the exact opposite with no alternative options. We need to seriously consider pathways to prevent the spread of COVID-19 for our incarcerated populations, the overwhelming majority of which will return to our communities at some point in the future.”

Rollins will also be looking into cash bail pre-trial detention.

“With respect to any new offenses, our presumption remains that there is no bail requested. People charged prior to trial will continue to hold the presumption of release on personal recognizance. Now more than ever, if we are going to ask the Court to detain someone pre-trial on a cash bail, we will do so only after critically weighing any public health risk against our legitimate concerns for public safety.”

The decision is based on health and safety, according to Rollins.

“This Office is committed to what every resident of Suffolk County deserves, a safe and healthy community. We will continue to work in partnership with the criminal defense bar on these critically important matters.”