N.W.T. releases 15 prisoners over COVID-19 concerns

The Northwest Territories government says it has released 15 prisoners over concerns about the possible spread of COVID-19 in territorial jails.

On April 7, thegovernment announced the temporary release of seven inmates who had less than three months left on their sentences. On Wednesday, aspokesperson for the Department of Justice confirmed another eight have since been released.

Sue Glowach, aspokesperson for the government, saysthere were several conditions considered when choosing which inmates would be released, such as whether they had completed reintegration plans and risk assessments.

In a previous statement, Justice Minister Caroline Wawzonek said she was working with prosecutors to ensure only those considered a threat to public safety would be taken into remand.

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• Some inmates being released to ease COVID-19 concerns about N.W.T. jails

Wawzonek also stated they were reviewing those already in remand to see if anybody could be eligible for an interim release and bail package.

Concerns over the spread of COVID-19 in Canadian prisons has continued to grow eversince inmates in a Quebec jail were found to have contracted the novel coronavirus.