A total of 16 inmates at provincial jails on Vancouver Island were released early between March 1st and April 2nd as the COVID-19 pandemic began to gain momentum in B.C.

A dozen inmates at the Nanaimo Correctional Centre and four at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre have been granted temporary absences from serving their intermittent sentences – which means they were in prison on a part-time basis or on weekends.

These 16 inmates were among a total of 95 people serving sentences at correctional facilities across B.C. who were granted early release last month.

“This does not mean a sentence has ended and/or is suspended, instead the sentence runs concurrently to the temporary absence. BC Corrections may rescind a temporary absence if/when warranted,” reads a statement provided to Victoria Buzz by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General.

The inmates were released after concerns of COVID-19 outbreaks at correctional facilities came to light.

While there are no inmates who have contracted the virus at jail facilities on Vancouver Island, two people tested positive for COVID-19 at a federal prison in Mission and one case was detected at the Okanagan Correctional Centre near Oliver, B.C. last week.

Since then, according to the latest update on Wednesday, several more inmates have tested positive for the virus at the Mission Institution with a total of 11 positive cases.

In a statement, the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General said that inmates in custody for non-violent offences are currently being assessed for early release.

“This assessment and ultimate determination on release considers criminal history,

sentence length, offence type, and any other relevant information, including risk to

public safety. In turn, these factors also shape the level of community supervision that

BC Corrections provides to those individuals on temporary absences,” reads the statement.

Another part of the assessment takes into account whether or not the inmates would have necessary supports in place upon release.

Based on data provided to Victoria Buzz, there were a total of 1,805 inmates at B.C. prisons as of April 2nd of whom 617 were serving sentences and 1,138 were awaiting court hearings.

The province says BC Corrections takes part in daily pandemic planning meetings and have taken steps to ensure physical distancing at facilities.

See all the latest updates about the global COVID-19 pandemic on Vancouver Island

The BCCDC has set up a 2019 novel coronavirus telephone information line at 1-833-784-4397 for those who have further questions about this disease.

Anyone concerned that they may have been exposed to, or are experiencing symptoms of the novel coronavirus, should contact their primary care provider, local public health office, or call 8-1-1.

The Province has also created the 1-888-COVID-19 line to connect British Columbians needing non-medical information about the coronavirus pandemic.

As of the time of publication, the total number of COVID-19 patients worldwide has risen to 1,489,457.

Over 87,200 people have died from the illness and 318,876 have made a full recovery.