G-20 Causes County To Release Some Inmates Early

Hundreds of inmates are apparently qualified for what some people are calling a "Get Out Of Jail Free" card courtesy of the G-20 summit in Pittsburgh.

VIDEO: Judge Says Practice Isn't New VIDEO: Possible Release All The Buzz Inside Joint

On Thursday, a judge revealed that up to 1,000 inmates could be released from the Allegheny County Jail before the summit next week.

As of Friday, dozens of non-violent, low level, low bail inmates had already been released.

The move is to make room in the jail, since police expect to arrest hundreds during the summit.

A Channel 11 investigation shows the Allegheny County Jail has been releasing low-level nonviolent offenders, a practice Judge Jeffrey Manning said happens a few times a year.

"I haven't been informed if there's anything unusual happening than the normal course of operation at the jail," Allegheny County chief executive Dan Onorato told Channel 11 News.

However, the latest releases were put into motion a few weeks back in anticipation of G-20 arrests to make sure there was enough space to house those arrested.

"This is timely, of course, in the G-20, anticipating additional arrests, certainly it is probably prudent and good public policy to do this action now," said court administrator Ray Billote.

Billote said the offenders that are being released are still under supervision, and they're still required to report to their probation officer.

"We're being very cautious here. No one will be improvidently released. All of these people will be properly supervised," said Administrative Judge Jeffrey Manning.

Still, that has not lessened the shock for people who talked to Channel 11 News.

Channel 11 News was at the jail when inmate Timothy Spanbauer was released. Spanbauer said corrections officers mentioned the release several times over the last few days.

"It was while I was up on the pod," Spanbauer said. "They were talking about how they need room. They were saying for up to 1,500. Everybody was like, 'I hope it's me.'"

"Wow. That is the first I've heard of it, but so that is shocking," said Pittsburgh resident Shamekia Guyton. "Guessing they must be ready and did their research."

"Can't they set up a tent city for all the people arrested for stupidity?" said Russell Buchman, of Squirrel Hill.

Onorato told Channel 11 News that the number of inmates released will likely be closer to 100.

The county court's wisdom in freeing up jail cells is also to prevent federal fines and lawsuits for exceeding the jail's population ceiling.

"Lawsuits occurred in Seattle over that very issue," Billote said.

Pittsburgh will host the G-20 Summit Sept. 24-25.