INDIANAPOLIS — A coalition of Indianapolis groups wanted to protect inmates in Indiana during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Saturday, they rallied to get the governor's attention and push for more social distancing measures for inmates.
Kyra Havery, of Indy 10 Black Lives Matter, says inmates have been telling her about the conditions inside correctional facilities and pleading for change.
"People are incarcerated talk to us and tell us exactly what's happening," Harvey said. "There's multiple people to a cell. People are getting sick."
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Cars lined Downtown Indianapolis during the rally, honking horns, and hold signs asking for officials to release non-violent offenders. Those who protested stayed in their cars to follow social distancing guidelines.
The coalition is hoping the demonstration will catch the attention of officials, like Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb.
"We are hoping to get his attention so he can hear us and come up with a solution so those people can be released to their families," Harvey said.
The protest included other locations downtown and ended at the Governor's Residence.
The Indiana Joint Information Center released the following statement Friday about the releasing inmates:
"The Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC) does not have general authority to grant early release of offenders. Only a court may order a sentence modification. The IDOC will process the release of an offender when a court ordered sentence modification is received."
