Dallas County Inmates Seek Release Due to Coronavirus Dangers, State of Texas Intervenes

Several inmates are suing Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown for the immediate release of inmates due to coronavirus concerns.

Several inmates, represented by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Civil Rights Corps, and Next Generation Action Network (NGAN), are suing Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown for the immediate release of inmates from Dallas County’s Lew Sterrett Justice Center.

A hearing is set in Sanchez et al v. Dallas County Sheriff Marian Brown before United States District Court Judge Ada Brown on April 21. 

The plaintiffs petitioned for the release of all medically-vulnerable inmates and other inmates who are not medically-vulnerable in order to reduce the population of the jail so that a six-foot social distance can be maintained.

With a jail population of over 5,000, Dallas County Health and Human Services reported 34 confirmed COVID-19 inmate cases this week. No deaths have been reported.

The State of Texas, Governor Greg Abbott, and Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a motion to intervene in the case over concerns that this lawsuit could result in the release of rapists, arsonists, armed robbers, and killers.

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