Opinion
Washington public defenders push for ending jail bookings for sex offenders, burglars, citing omicron risks
Public defenders in King County, Washington, are pushing the prosecutor’s workplace to scale back jail bookings for suspects accused of non-violent crimes, arguing that they face a heightened threat of catching the coronavirus amid the unfold of the omicron variant.
The matter was mentioned throughout a Tuesday morning digital listening to held by the Regulation, Justice, Well being and Human Companies Committee. In line with its web site, the committee considers and makes suggestions on insurance policies regarding regulation, security, and prison justice.
A airplane flies overhead the King County Correctional Facility in downtown Seattle, Washington, U.S.
(Reuters/Lindsey Wasson)
The King County Division of Public Protection (DPD), run by Anita Khandelwal, introduced an eight-page PowerPoint slide, arguing that jail bookings put suspects at a larger threat of catching COVID-19 in jail, and topics their legal professionals to longer wait instances.
MANHATTAN DA: ‘I DON’T UNDERSTAND THE PUSHBACK’ TO LIGHTER PUNISHMENT FOR VIOLENT CRIMINALS
The slides argued that “BIPOC individuals” – or individuals of shade – and people experiencing poverty are impacted the toughest by these circumstances.
Khandelwal’s presentation known as on the county to file solely “allegations of great violence” however increase restrictions to the next offenses: possession of a stolen car, residential housebreaking, failure to register as a intercourse offender, fugitive warrants, in addition to drug expenses associated to possession and distribution.
Coverage proposals from the Regulation, Justice, Well being and Human Companies Committee.
(King County)
“We face the worst disaster that we’ve seen because the pandemic began concerning entry to counsel and entry to court docket,” a slide reads. “Crucial that we take motion now.”
The presentation additional urged that prosecutors can reassess this proposed coverage as soon as the pandemic has handed. Any determination on the proposal falls on the King County Council.
Fox Information has reached out to Khandelwal and the Division of Public Protection for additional remark however didn’t hear again earlier than publication.
Related measures have been proposed and, in some circumstances, put into place in different main metropolitan areas because the onset of the pandemic to various outcomes.
