Hundreds of inmates have been released from state prisons in recent days in response to a state Supreme Court order to protect the health of the incarcerated during the coronavirus outbreak.

Over a dozen inmates and at least 21 Department of Corrections employees have tested positive for COVID-19, most of which have been from the Monroe Corrections Complex. Inmates from that facility were the plaintiffs that filed the emergency motion asking the state’s highest court to intervene.

That court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the case today. Columbia Legal Services, which represents the plaintiffs, stated in a press release Wednesday that the releases up to this point are “insufficient” to protect inmate health, calling on the court to appoint a court monitor to oversee the state’s compliance with the order.

Two of those inmates are from Adams County. Fifteen are Grant County residents, of whom 13 have already been released, according to the state Department of Corrections, frustrating some members of local law enforcement who say they have enough on their plate as it is.

“I would prefer that they do their full sentence, especially at a time like now when we’re dealing with other issues,” said Quincy Police Chief Kieth Siebert.

Siebert, a former lieutenant with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, said he was familiar with most of the people who have been released through his experience working for the county. He and other law enforcement agency heads have shared their frustrations with county prosecutor Garth Dano, who will be sending a letter to the governor’s office, Siebert said.

Dano did not respond to a request for comment.

While Siebert said he and other officers wished that the inmates weren’t being released, he also said the decision was out of their hands.

“They’re going to do what they’re going to do,” Siebert said. “We have plenty of other issues we’re focused on right now.”

Grant County residents released, by release date and most severe offense:

April 17: Joshua Earl Davis, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm; Tammy Lynn Pike, forgery.

April 18: Kenneth Brian Barton, sentenced for second-degree theft; Richard Wayne Cheromiah, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm; Tomie Rene Gonzalez, theft of a firearm; Eric Patrick Regan, second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm with a prior conviction.

April 19: Marty Lee Gonzalez, first-degree unlawful possession of a firearm; Sonda Lynn Safford, manufacture, deliver or possess with intent to deliver schedule 1 or 2 drugs.

April 20: Matthew Steven Hausknecht, second-degree burglary; Mary Darlene Spencer, delivery or possession with intent to deliver amphetamine or methamphetamine.

April 21: Cameran Michael Bennett, theft of a motor vehicle; Marchell Ralph Espinoza, possession of a controlled substance; Stephen Anthony Espinoza, second-degree theft.

Pending release were Christopher Belvoir, second-degree malicious mischief; and Kennedy Morales, second-degree burglary.