As the coronavirus cases in the US are increasing on an alarming rate, the US prisons too have been observing a rapid increase in the number of positive cases in their premises.

To contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the state of California has decided to release up to 8,000 inmates from state prisons, the state authorities reported.

The prisoners will be allowed to leave the prison premises earlier than their set release date. The state corrections department is preparing a list of inmates who could be eligible for an an early release, probably by the end of August.

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These actions are taken to provide for the health and safety of the incarcerated population and staff," California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Ralph Diaz said in a statement.

This will be California's biggest move to contain the spread of the virus inside the state prisons, a matter which has been a rising concern for few months now.

The prisoners who will be eligible for the release would be the inmates who have only a year or less left to serve, and have not been convicted for violent felonies or sex-related crimes.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Thursday nearly 2,400 people in California's 35 prisons have tested positive for the coronavirus, including 1,314 at San Quentin State Prison north of San Francisco.

As the coronavirus cases in the US are increasing on an alarming rate, the US prisons too have been observing a rapid increase in the number of positive cases in their premises.

As the coronavirus cases in the US are increasing on an alarming rate, the US prisons too have been observing a rapid increase in the number of positive cases in their premises. To contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, the state of California has decided to release up to 8,000 inmates from state prisons, the state authorities reported. The prisoners will be allowed to leave the prison premises earlier than their set release date. The state corrections department is preparing a list of inmates who could be eligible for an an early release, probably by the end of August. Also read: California to sue Trump over order revoking foreign student visas These actions are taken to provide for the health and safety of the incarcerated population and staff," California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation Secretary Ralph Diaz said in a statement. This will be California's biggest move to contain the spread of the virus inside the state prisons, a matter which has been a rising concern for few months now. The prisoners who will be eligible for the release would be the inmates who have only a year or less left to serve, and have not been convicted for violent felonies or sex-related crimes. California Governor Gavin Newsom said on Thursday nearly 2,400 people in California's 35 prisons have tested positive for the coronavirus, including 1,314 at San Quentin State Prison north of San Francisco.

COVID 19: California prisons to release 8,000 prisoners to contain rapid spread

Soon after the Wuhan <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-cases-increase-in-sweden-after-resistance-to-complete-lockdown-295355">virus</a> began spreading beyond China, countries across the world started releasing prisoners to avoid a possible catastrophe but some Latin American countries refrained from freeing their inmates.

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Their prisons today are reporting numerous coronavirus cases. Hundreds of prisoners had crammed in jail cells in El Salvador with no masks and no precautions.&nbsp;Just inmates with their hands around their necks, queueing up for an impending disaster.

Among the prisoners were notorious gang members. They have been accused of masterminding 53 murders from their cells over the weekend. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele ordered a crackdown.

"They will not receive sunlight, they will be in total confinement 24 hours a day in the seven maximum security prisons that there are in this country. This was an order from President Nayib Bukele. We are complying with that order," Salvadoran deputy security minister, Osiris Luna said.

Overcrowded prisons are an ugly truth of Latin America. The region's jails house as many as 1.5 million inmates. They are brewing coronavirus hotspots for multiple reasons.

Firstly, these prisons are overcrowded. Secondly, they run on tight budgets which means soap and water are limited and the sanitation conditions are poor and then there is corruption.

Latin America's prisons are perfect breeding grounds for coronavirus. The inmates are scared and vulnerable. They have a single demand - protection against the contagion.

However, the numbers look grim. El Salvador has reported 1,400 coronavirus cases among inmates and prison staff. There are 613 cases and 13 deaths in the prisons of Peru.

In Colombia, 23 inmates have died in prison riots since the pandemic. In brazil, hundred inmates escaped prisons. Chile's Puente Alto prison alone has reported over 300 coronavirus cases. The situation raises a unique challenge for the administration..

These inmates have been sentenced to captivity, not death.

Soon after the Wuhan virus began spreading beyond China, countries across the world started releasing prisoners to avoid a possible catastrophe but some Latin American countries refrained from freeing their inmates.

Soon after the Wuhan virus began spreading beyond China, countries across the world started releasing prisoners to avoid a possible catastrophe but some Latin American countries refrained from freeing their inmates. Also Read: When will coronavirus end in US, UK, France, India? Study predicts dates & month Their prisons today are reporting numerous coronavirus cases. Hundreds of prisoners had crammed in jail cells in El Salvador with no masks and no precautions. Just inmates with their hands around their necks, queueing up for an impending disaster. Among the prisoners were notorious gang members. They have been accused of masterminding 53 murders from their cells over the weekend. El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele ordered a crackdown. "They will not receive sunlight, they will be in total confinement 24 hours a day in the seven maximum security prisons that there are in this country. This was an order from President Nayib Bukele. We are complying with that order," Salvadoran deputy security minister, Osiris Luna said. Overcrowded prisons are an ugly truth of Latin America. The region's jails house as many as 1.5 million inmates. They are brewing coronavirus hotspots for multiple reasons. Firstly, these prisons are overcrowded. Secondly, they run on tight budgets which means soap and water are limited and the sanitation conditions are poor and then there is corruption. Latin America's prisons are perfect breeding grounds for coronavirus. The inmates are scared and vulnerable. They have a single demand - protection against the contagion. However, the numbers look grim. El Salvador has reported 1,400 coronavirus cases among inmates and prison staff. There are 613 cases and 13 deaths in the prisons of Peru. In Colombia, 23 inmates have died in prison riots since the pandemic. In brazil, hundred inmates escaped prisons. Chile's Puente Alto prison alone has reported over 300 coronavirus cases. The situation raises a unique challenge for the administration.. These inmates have been sentenced to captivity, not death.

Inmates in El Salvador suffer as Latin American prisons breed COVID-19

Singer R Kelly who is currently serving jail time in the federal prison in Chicago has requested the authorities to release him over concerns of coronavirus pandemic that is spreading worldwide. Last week, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood-news-harvey-weinstein-tests-positive-for-coronavirus-in-new-york-prison-287972">Harvey Weinstein too tested positive </a>for the coronavirus in New York prison. 
 
Now, a motion for the bond has been filed by Kelly's lawyers in US District Court in Chicago on Thursday which describes the 53-year-old singer in the list of those at a higher risk of contracting the infectious disease. 
 
It was further claimed that sanitizers and soaps are limited in the Metropolitan Correctional Center with several convicts confined in two-person cells, making social distancing a challenge.

"The visitor`s bathroom on the entry-level floor of the MCC frequently has no soap or paper towels available, which makes it difficult for individuals entering the facility to adequately clean their hands before visiting," the filing stated. 
 
However, lawyers of the singer who is locked up without bail following his arrest on multiple sex crime charges, argued that "The courts have long recognised that there is no greater necessity than keeping a defendant alive, no matter the charge." 
 
While a ruling has not yet been issued on the recent move out of Chicago, New York-based prosecutors have urged that Kelly remain jailed.

(With inputs from ANI)

Singer R Kelly who is currently serving jail time in the federal prison in Chicago has requested the authorities to release him over concerns of coronavirus pandemic that is spreading worldwide.

Singer R Kelly who is currently serving jail time in the federal prison in Chicago has requested the authorities to release him over concerns of coronavirus pandemic that is spreading worldwide. Last week, Harvey Weinstein too tested positive for the coronavirus in New York prison. Now, a motion for the bond has been filed by Kelly's lawyers in US District Court in Chicago on Thursday which describes the 53-year-old singer in the list of those at a higher risk of contracting the infectious disease. It was further claimed that sanitizers and soaps are limited in the Metropolitan Correctional Center with several convicts confined in two-person cells, making social distancing a challenge. "The visitor`s bathroom on the entry-level floor of the MCC frequently has no soap or paper towels available, which makes it difficult for individuals entering the facility to adequately clean their hands before visiting," the filing stated. However, lawyers of the singer who is locked up without bail following his arrest on multiple sex crime charges, argued that "The courts have long recognised that there is no greater necessity than keeping a defendant alive, no matter the charge." While a ruling has not yet been issued on the recent move out of Chicago, New York-based prosecutors have urged that Kelly remain jailed. (With inputs from ANI)

R Kelly requests for a release from prison in light of coronavirus