100 incarcerated people in Philly released to prevent prison overcrowding

In an effort to reduce the city's prison population and provide individuals who, officials said, could be released without posing a threat to public security with a chance at freedom, 100 incarcerated people have been released from Philadelphia prison system.

In a statement from Defender Associated of Philadelphia, officials said the move comes after defense attorneys worked to identify individuals who could be released pre-trial without posing a threat to public safety.

“Reducing the jail population during this crisis is a crucial step in safeguarding both the rights of the incarcerated and the efficiency of our justice system,” said Chief Defender for the Defender Association of Philadelphia, Keisha Hudson, in a statement. “The success of these hearings shows the power of the collaborative approach we’ve been pushing for throughout the staffing crisis on State Road.”

According to the defenders association, attorneys worked with the First Judicial District and the District Attorney’s Office, to release 100 incarcerated people through a series of emergency bail hearings led by Judge Karen Simmons.

The defenders association said that the initiative aims to reduce the jail population while maintaining public safety.

These hearings began on October 1, with additional sessions scheduled in the coming weeks, the defenders association said.

And, the defenders association noted, the hearings prioritize cases involving individuals who can be released pre-trial without posing a threat to public safety.

Managing director of pretrial for the Public Defender’s Office, Andrew Pappas said the inmates released were in on cash bail and didn’t have other detainers. Their charges ranged from aggravated assault to gun possession to arson.

“Take a second look at them and see if they really needed to be in custody in light of the fact that the prison is a disaster right now," said Pappas.

Pappas was referencing the Philadelphia government being held in contempt by a federal judge earlier this year for failing to address issues at the city jails, including staffing.

As of June, the prison department had 58 percent of the staff it budgeted and expected to have. With less staff, the jail population has also become a concern.

Since 2015, the city has been working to reduce its prison population. During the pandemic, it reached its lowest levels in years; below 4,000. But since then, the numbers have hovered in the 4,600 range.

Noah Barth is the prison monitoring director for the Pennsylvania Prison Society, a nonprofit organization that advocates for humane prison conditions.

“The various problems we've noted have all been compounded by the problem with understaffing. over-incarceration and aging infrastructure. So anything that can address one of those three should be a step in the right direction," said Barth.

The federal judge who held the city in contempt also ordered the Parker Administration to follow through on prison improvement plans, including population management.

Hudson added, in a statement, that the Defender Association is dedicated to continuing these efforts, working with City leaders and other advocates to secure additional releases and address the broader challenges facing Philadelphia’s jails.

“This is an important milestone, but there is still much work to be done to ensure that we uphold fairness, accountability, and public safety for every citizen of Philadelphia," Hudson said in a statement.