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Some Sheriffs Ask To Reduce Jail Population Amid Virus Outbreak

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Concerned about the spread of coronavirus, some Arizona sheriffs are calling for the release of non-violent offenders from jail and urging police agencies to issue citations rather than arrest people to slow the spread of the new Coronavirus.

Fifty inmates have been released in Coconino County. Pima County's Sheriff has proposed several reduction measures, such as either releasing people jailed on probation violations or sending them to prisons. It’s unclear whether releases related to COVID-19 have happened in Maricopa and Pima counties.

As of early Monday, least 152 coronavirus cases have been reported in Arizona, leading to two death.

No cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Arizona jails and prisons.

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