Three inmates released after covid-19 outbreak in eerie county jail — judge with gavel, stock photo.

BUFFALO, NY – Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn announces that his office resumed reviewing cases of those convicted of low-level, non-violence offenses who have 45 days or less remaining on their local jail sentences. This initiative by the Erie County DA’s Office aims to reduce the inmate population and prevent the further spread of the coronavirus in the county jails. The decision follows the Erie County Sheriff’s Office announcement yesterday that 27 inmates housed within a specific area of the Erie County Correctional Facility tested positive for COVID-19.

Today, Assistant District Attorney Mara L. McCabe, Chief of the DA’s Training and Special Projects Bureau, appeared before State Supreme Court Justice Paul B. Wojtaszek to consent to motions filed by the Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo to allow the early release of three individuals. Two individuals will be released from the Erie County Correctional Facility and the other will be released from the Erie County Holding Center. All were convicted of low-level, non-violence offenses.

“In recent weeks, we have seen how the positivity rate can quickly increase throughout a community. This virus has the potential to spread rapidly through a jail population. In the interest of justice and public health, I consented to the early release of these individuals to allow them to serve the remainder of their sentence at home,” said Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn.

Between April 7, 2020 and May 5, 2020, the Erie County District Attorney’s Office consented to motions, in the interest of justice, to allow the early release of 24 individuals who had 45 days or less remaining on their local jail sentences.

The DA’s Office will continue to consent or oppose motions filed by the Legal Aid Bureau on a case-by-case basis.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.