Compassionate Inmate Releases Stopped

A court order has halted the release of inmates from the Harris County lockup. The ruling indicates district court judges, not Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo, have sole authority to order inmate releases.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez acknowledged the order on social media, writing, “Per a Court Order just received, halting any further inmate releases related to County Judge Hidalgo’s Order. This is a legal matter and will wait for further information.”

Judge Hidalgo ordered the compassionate release of about 1,000 non-violent offenders in hopes of stemming the spread of coronavirus in the jail.

“We are reviewing the order and hoping for a swift resolution because the health of every Harris county resident is at stake,” Hidalgo said in a statement provided to ABC 13. “Health authorities have warned us that an outbreak of COVID-19 in the county jail would be catastrophic to the community at large, because it would drain hospital resources at a time when they are most needed.”

Friday’s court order came just as the first round of inmates were being released.

So far, three inmates have tested positive for coronavirus. 

RA Staff

Written by RA News staff.

Recent Posts

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, Paxton aide turned foe, to run for Texas attorney general

U.S. Rep. Chip Roy, R-Austin, announced a run for Texas attorney general Thursday, joining a…

11 hours ago

Conservative Groups Fund Drive to Place Ten Commandments in Texas Schools

Starting September 1, every Texas public school classroom will be required to display a poster…

1 day ago

Capitol Evacuated Amid Protest for Rep. Nicole Collier

The Texas State Capitol was evacuated Tuesday evening following a reported threat made on social…

1 day ago

Trump Vows to Eliminate Mail-In Ballots, Despite Constitutional Limits

President Donald Trump has renewed his push to abolish mail-in voting, promising to sign an…

2 days ago

Texas Redistricting Fight Heats Up as California Democrats Move to Counter

The battle over congressional maps intensified this week as Texas Republicans advanced a redistricting bill…

2 days ago

Families of Camp Mystic Victims Push for New Safety Laws

Families of the 27 campers and counselors who lost their lives in the July 4…

3 days ago

This website uses cookies.