SALEM — Gov. Kate Brown has asked for information from state and local corrections officials regarding the possible early release of inmates to limit coronavirus spread in Oregon prisons, according to an email circulating among Washington County community corrections officials.

The email said Brown has asked corrections officials for numbers of inmates in a variety of circumstances, from medically vulnerable to those approaching the end of their sentences.

According to the email sent by Washington County Community Corrections Director Steve Berger, the governor wants the information by April 13.

“Specifically, she wants to determine whether early release would be a safe and effective way to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 spreading through our institutions yet done in a safe way as to not overburden counties from a supervision/shelter/health care standpoint,” he wrote.

Berger wrote to colleagues that the governor asked for the numbers of inmates in a range of scenarios: those with an “approved residence” post release; all inmates, regardless of their conviction, who are within eight weeks of release; non-Measure 11 medically vulnerable inmates; non-Measure 11 inmates over age 60; non-Measure 11 inmates who have served half their sentence and are within six months of release and non-Measure 11 inmates who have served half of their sentence and who are within six to 12 months of release.

Brown’s office did not respond to multiple requests for comment on Tuesday.

The development comes as Brown has faced rising pressure from advocacy organizations to address the threat the virus poses to inmates and corrections staff. A group of inmates filed a lawsuit Monday in federal court alleging the state has not done enough to protect inmates from COVID-19.

This article was originally published by The Oregonian/OregonLive, one of more than a dozen news organizations throughout the state sharing their coverage of the novel coronavirus outbreak to help inform Oregonians about this evolving heath issue.