A south Alabama jail is releasing some non-violent offenders because of a rise in COVID-19 cases.
The Associated Press reports that Mobile County Metro Jail began allowing some non-violent offenders to be released, similar to what is done when a hurricane threatens the facility.
Inmates facing only city, non-violent charges are allowed to sign their own bond or be released on recognizance.
Sheriff Sam Cochran said they saw a sharp rise in virus cases and are trying to reduce the population of the jail and the number of people coming in and out of the facility.
This comes as nearly 200 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 at a state prison.
This comes after officials implemented mass testing in the wake of an outbreak.
The Alabama Department of Corrections said in a news release that all Elmore Correctional Facility inmates tested last week.
The prison system said the testing was done as a precautionary measure in response to a recent increase in cases at the prison.