The Kern County Sheriff's Office announced on Wednesday that 38 inmates were specifically released in response to COVID-19. In all, 108 inmates were released with 70 being released according to standard procedures unrelated to the coronavirus.

The KCSO is evaluating each low-level, non-violent inmate housed at Lerdo and the Central Receiving Facility based on a variety of factors, including age, medical condition and the charges pending against them.

"Public safety is the top priority and only inmates with non-violent charges will be considered," said Public Information Officer Angela Moore in a statement released by the KCSO. "Some inmates meet the qualifications for expedited release, and others will be released into the Electronic Monitoring Program."

The release plans were done based on "recommendations from the Department of Public Health, Jail Health Services, and California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within our jail facilities."