Coronavirus: Hennepin County To Reduce Pressure On Jail Capacity

TWIN CITIES, MN — Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman outlined the necessary next steps to let some accused individuals out of Hennepin County pre-charge detention facilities as part of the reaction to coronavirus.

Freeman said he's coordinating with several agencies to see if there are individuals who could be released pending trial.

"Our goal is to provide for public safety, for justice and to relieve some of the pressure on jail capacity," he said in a statement.

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"Our primary responsibility is public safety and providing justice for the victims of crimes in our county," he added.

"There are individuals who appear to have committed less serious crimes and are not likely to be threat to public safety. By the end of business today, or no later than Tuesday morning, the public defenders will present to us a list of potential individuals who would be eligible for a new bail hearing under those criteria. We will make arrangements for their release pending trial in appropriate cases."

Earlier this week, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office decided to cancel all social visitation of inmates at the Hennepin County Jail in Minneapolis.

Also read: Coronavirus: See Full List Of Businesses Ordered To Close In MN