MERCER COUNTY, WV (WOAY) – Mercer County Prosecuting Attorney George Sitler says that Circuit Court Judges are not releasing jail inmates simply because of the Coronavirus Pandemic.
Mercer County currently houses 165 inmates at the Southern Regional Jail. Of these inmates, 71 are held on Misdemeanor crimes, and 93 are incarcerated for Felony offenses.
Sitler says the highest priority is public safety. ‘If the accused has little or no prior criminal history, we will consider an inmate’s medical treatment needs, employment status, and family support responsibilities.”
“It’s important for the public to understand that our Circuit Judges carefully consider the likelihood that an accused will commit another crime when they make determinations about pretrial bond release.
