The Allen County Superior Court’s criminal division ordered the early release of a number of inmates serving misdemeanor sentences in the Allen County Jail.
According to Allen County Sheriff David Gladieux, the Allen Superior Court’s criminal division ordered about 20 to 25 individuals to be released prior to the end of their sentences.
Court officials say the move was due to concerns about jail population numbers at this time of coronavirus pandemic, and was made in consultation with the sheriff’s department and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office.
Officials said no cases of the virus have been reported at the jail.
There were 72 individuals in the Allen County Jail serving time on misdemeanor charges as of Wednesday, according to department officials.
The individuals released had less than a month remaining on their sentences, Gladieux said.
Gladieux said he was not notified of the decision by the court, and found out about it Thursday morning via the media.
He said he had no say in the decision.
Earlier this year, Allen County was sued by the Indiana ACLU on behalf of inmates alleging jail overcrowding. That lawsuit is still in its early stages in federal court. A number of other Indiana counties have also been sued.
