State panel rejects proposals to even consider reducing inmate population

In three separate attempts during Wednesday’s Nevada Sentencing Commission meeting, members proposed sending recommendations and letters to state officials that would urge them, at the very least, to discuss and potentially consider how to responsibly reduce its prison population during the health crisis.

Each proposal was voted down.

“On behalf of the judiciary, we’re the ones who put those people in prison and I’m not interested in letting them out without a reason or an appropriate approach,” said Washoe District Court Judge and commission member Scott Freeman, after the first recommendation was proposed.

The Nevada Sentencing Commission convened for the second time in April to deliberate on ways the state treats its incarcerated populations amid the health crisis caused by COVID-19.

The first case of the virus in Nevada was reported in March and Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a state of emergency March 12.

Read more: https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2020/04/30/state-panel-rejects-proposals-to-even-consider-reducing-inmate-population/