Bill Cosby has been denied early release from prison despite a COVID-19 outbreak inside the facility where he is housed

Bill Cosby has been denied early release from prison despite a COVID-19 outbreak inside the facility where he is housed.

The disgraced comedian, 82, is serving a three to 10 years sentence at SCI Phoenix in Skippack, Pennsylvania after being found guilty of aggravated sexual assault in 2018.

Last Friday, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf revealed a plan to 'temporarily relieve' at-risk inmates in a bid to stop the spread of the coronavirus behind bars.

The announcement sparked speculation that Cosby could be freed, but the state's Department of Corrections crushed any hope for the elderly star ion Saturday.

'Sex offenders are not eligible under the reprieve criteria,' a department spokesperson bluntly told the media.

The star's rep, Andrew Wyatt, hit back, claiming it is dangerous to keep Cosby cooped up given his poor health and old age.

Cosby's rep says it is dangerous to keep him behind bars amid the pandemic, given his poor health and old age. Cosby is pictured in September 2018

Cosby is housed inside SCI Phoenix (pictured above). An inmate has died from COVID-19, and a further 21 prisoners and 13 staffers are infected

'All elderly inmates like Mr. Cosby could succumb to this virus. It seems it's more politically motivated and personally motivated to not let this man out. It's very upsetting and disappointing, ' Wyatt told Fox News.

Earlier this month, an inmate inside DCI Phoenix died from COVID-19.

Twenty-one other prisoners and 13 staffers at the facility have tested positive for the highly contagious virus.

Gov. Wolf says he could authorize the early release of up to 1,800 inmates across the state.

On Thursday, nine inmates from SCI Phoenix were among the first prisoners in Pennsylvania to be released.

A spokesperson said the prisoners are all non-violent offenders and have been tested to make sure they are not infected with COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Cosby's rep claims the star's risk of contracting coronavirus is growing by the day.

Cosby is assigned to the general ward of SCI Phoenix (pictured). His rep believes he is especially vulnerable to the threat of COVID-19

Cosby, who is now partially blind, is pictured back in 2016. He is set to turn 83 in July

'i'm very concerned for Mr. Cosby's health in prison during the coronavirus epidemic,' Wyatt told Fox News.

'The reason: Mr. Cosby is elderly and blind -- and always needs to be escorted around the prison by support service inmates, known as Certified Peer Specialists (CPI).'

'Those inmates could fall victim to the coronavirus and easily spread the disease to Mr. Cosby as they wheel him around in a wheelchair. Among their duties, the inmates bring Mr. Cosby to the infirmary for his doctor appointments and clean his cell.'

He was convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault in 2018 for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in his home in January 2004.

He has also been accused of rape and sexual assault by more than 60 women.

Despite Wyatt's claims that Cosby is in poor health, he last month told reporters that the star's experience behind bars has been 'amazing'.

'He said despite the circumstances, this is an amazing experience. He used the term amazing experience,' his spokesman Andrew Wyatt told NBC10 .

'He looks really amazing, He's down to 195 pounds, he hasn't eaten any bread, no dessert and he hasn't drank any coffee since he's been in there,' he continued.

Apart from his attorneys, Wyatt is the only person Cosby has allowed to come and see him in prison.

He said Cosby's wife, Camille, and their children have not visited. He speaks to his wife three times a day for three minutes each.