A system includes a downhole tool having multiple electric leads. The system also includes a release device that includes an outer shell configured to mechanically couple to the downhole tool, and the outer shell is configured to form a cavity that is fluidly separate from wellbore fluids contained within a wellbore while the outer shell is mechanically coupled to the downhole tool. The release device also includes a contact block configured to electrically couple to the multiple electric leads. In addition, the contact block is configured to electrically decouple from the multiple electric leads while the outer shell remains mechanically coupled to the downhole tool. Further, the contact block is configured to remain in the cavity after electrically decoupling from the plurality of electric leads.