Westchester County District Attorney Anthony Scarpino announced Friday that 65 inmates have been approved for release from Westchester County Jail in Valhalla to reduce the spread of COVID-19 infections.

In a written release, Scarpino said 33 individuals had been released from Westchester County Jail pursuant to stipulations executed by Scarpino and Clare Degnan, executive director of the Legal Aid Society of Westchester. Thirty-two additional inmates incarcerated for violations of probation were also released following the submission of unopposed applications by defense counsel. All 65 of those released by stipulation had been facing release dates on or before June 26, 2020, and were serving sentences of one year or less.

Scarpino said the decision was made in an effort to decrease the population at Westchester County Jail and reduce the spread of COVID-19. Prisoner reviews were conducted by the DA in coordination with the Legal Aid Society of Westchester and privately retained criminal defense attorneys.

"The health and safety of employees of the Westchester County Jail, corrections officers as well as those incarcerated is important," Scarpino stated, adding that release of inmates "is an ongoing process," with additional requests under review. "We try to balance the need to reduce the jail population for health and safety inside the jail against the public safety as a whole."