June 26, 2020 4:25 p.m.

On Thursday, Oregon Governor Kate Brown approved the early release of 57 medically vulnerable inmates in the state prison system, due to their risk for significant health challenges should they contract COVID-19.

A release from Brown said the decision comes after the Oregon Department of Corrections performed case-by-case analysis of adults in custody who are vulnerable to COVID-19.

The release said the DOC review identified individuals who:

*Are particularly vulnerable to COVID-19, as identified by DOC medical staff

*Are not serving a sentence for a person crime

*Have a record of good conduct for the last 12 months

*Have a suitable housing plan

*Have their out-of-custody health needs assessed and adequately addressed

*Do not present an unacceptable safety, security, or compliance risk to the community

Brown said she received a list of 61 adults in custody for consideration of commutation. She authorized that process to begin for 57 of them.

The release said the DOC has confirmed that 13 adults on the list have housing and continuity of health care plans in place. For those individuals, the commutation process can begin as soon as they test negative for COVID-19. The commutation process for the remaining adults will begin once DOC confirms each of their housing and release plans are in place and they have tested negative for COVID-19.

Those granted commutation will still be subject to post-prison supervision Individuals who violate the terms of their PPS are subject to sanctions, including a return to prison and revocation of their commutation.