On March 31, 2020, California announced that inmates will be granted early release to reduce the prison population in an effort to slow the spread of coronavirus within California’s prison system. The inmates being considered for release are currently serving terms for nonviolent crimes and were due to be released within 60 days, and releases will occur over the next few weeks.

Ballotpedia is tracking how state and local governments are responding to the coronavirus pandemic within the prison system.

• Texas – Gov. Greg Abbott signed an executive order on March 29 prohibiting the release of inmates accused or previously convicted of violent crimes without paying bail.
• Colorado – Gov. Jared Polis signed an executive order on March 26 granting the director of the Department of Corrections “authority to release people within 180 days of their parole eligibility date, and suspended limits on awarding earned time, to allow for earlier release dates.”