Virus infections leads to early jail releases
Some of the Union County Detention Facility’s inmates have been released this week due to the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Union County Sheriff Ricky Roberts said some misdemeanor offenders and suspects, offenders sanctioned by the Arkansas Community Corrections probation and parole officers, and one inmate with a medical condition rendering him high-risk for contracting coronavirus were released from the jail to help prevent the spread of the virus.
“Three have been released today,” Roberts said in a text message Friday afternoon. “One bonded out, one was released after a first appearance and the other was released by a judge.”
Roberts said Judge Jack Barker, Union County District Court judge, released misdemeanor offenders that were still being held due to owing fines. The ACC Probation and Parole office also released some minor offenders who were held on jail sanctions over the weekend due to probation or parole violations.
“Most remaining are charged with felony crimes and are being held pending the posting of bail,” Roberts said. “Others are serving sanctions by (the) Parole and Probation (Office), and it is up to (their office) if they choose to let them out.”
Those held in jail on bond or waiting to post bail have not been convicted of crimes, he noted.
The inmate who was released due to their medical condition was released to house arrest with an ankle monitor that will notify the Sheriff’s Office should they leave their residence.
The jail currently has 164 people incarcerated. Roberts said jail employees are taking steps to promote health among the inmates.
“We are working on a day-to-day/case-by-case basis,” he said. “Should an inmate show any symptoms we have the capability to isolate inmates from the general population in hopes of stopping any virus from spreading throughout the jail.”
Earlier this week, Roberts said jail staff had stepped up their safety measures by screening all detainees outside of the jail before they are booked. Sanitization of surfaces and dry goods has increased and a fan was placed inside the jail to help circulate the air inside. Inmates are also regularly checked for fever and other coronavirus symptoms by the jail’s staff nurses and doctor.