Because of the COVID-19 concerns in Washington State Prisons nearly 1000 prisoners are being released early to create more space in the prison system. Officials with the Yakima County Department of Corrections say they don't know how many of those released will be arriving in Yakima as early as this week but they say all will follow the same community supervision as others who are released from prison. KIT News has learned at least 5 people in the group are being sent back to Yakima.

Officials say those who are being released back to their communities are those who have been convicted of non-violent crimes and people who were close to their release date. Many were within 1 to 3 months from release. All of those released must have a physical address and are each supervised in the community by probation officers.
The Washington Department of Corrections is taking the action to release people early as a way to provide more physical distancing within the state's correctional facilities.

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