Officials in California are poised to release upwards of 18,000 prisoners to slow the spread of CoVID-19 in jail; saying the drastic measure is necessary to help protect the “health and safety of the incarcerated population.”
“These actions are taken to provide for the health and safety of the incarcerated population and staff,” Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Ralph Diaz said in a news release. “We aim to implement these decompression measures in a way that aligns both public health and public safety.”
18,000 prisoners to be released by end of August, California Department of Corrections says https://t.co/Je9hqZ8jMY
— Washington Examiner (@dcexaminer) July 15, 2020
“According to the CDCR, of the state’s approximate 115,000 inmates, roughly 2,400 prisoners have tested positive for the coronavirus, and at least 31 prisoners have died from COVID-19 related illnesses – accounting for roughly 2 percent and 0.026 percent, respectively, of the inmate population,” reports the Washington Examiner.
Read the full report here.
BACKLASH BUILDS: California Releases $75M in Coronavirus Relief Funds for Illegal Immigrants
Angry residents in California vented their frustration on social media Tuesday after the state released Coronavirus relief funds to illegal immigrants and other undocumented workers.
“Undocumented immigrants in California are now allowed to apply for the state’s coronavirus relief program that will pay $500 per person and up to $1,000 per household, according to reports Monday,” reports Fox News.
“The Los Angeles Times reported that Sacramento has freed up $75 million for the fund, which could help about 150,000 who may be facing severe hardships during the pandemic. An earlier report in the paper said the Center for American Liberty is suing the state, claiming that the money is not a ‘slush fund for the governor to spend as he sees fit.’ It hopes to block the package,” adds Fox.
“The website is currently up and running, and we are continuing to increase its capacity,” Scott Murray, a spokesman for the state’s Department of Social Services, told the Bee.
“Gov. Gavin Newsom announced in April that he would spend $75 million of taxpayer money to create a Disaster Relief Fund for immigrants living in the country illegally,” reports Fox.
Read the full report here.
GAVIN NEWSOM: The Trump Administration ‘Has Delivered’ for California During Coronavirus
California Governor Gavin Newsom publicly praised the Trump administration this week; saying the federal government has “delivered” for his state during the national Coronavirus pandemic.
“Last week I called the president personally and said we need more swabs for specimen collection so we can substantially increase our testing capacity. They were delivered the next day,” said Newsom.
Gov. @GavinNewsom: The federal government “has delivered”
"Last week I called the president personally and said we need more swabs for specimen collection so we can substantially increase our testing capacity. They were delivered the next day." pic.twitter.com/63JI0aZ8gE
— Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) April 29, 2020
“I’m really focused on doing my job and trying to save lives. I’m trying to avoid finger-pointing. There’s just too many lives at stake,” he added.
Watch Newsom’s comments above.