Sheriff Bouchard: Jail population still at low levels
Measures in place to combat virus spread
As Oakland County officials await a federal judge’s decision on a lawsuit alleging that the county jail’s inmates are facing unnecessary risks of contracting COVID-19, the sheriff’s office on Thursday released an update on related information.
According to a news release from the office of Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, as of May 14, 746 inmates have been tested for the virus and 163 have refused to be tested.
The current jail population stands at 643 inmates, a significant drop compared to the March 1 population of 1,282 inmates.
The reduction is partly because of early release by judges of some nonviolent offenders due to COVID-19 concerns. Initially, 166 were identified as eligible for early release and, so far, 143 have been released. On Wednesday, a list of 17 others was sent to the courts for consideration of early release, and another list of 58 inmates is under review for a potential recommendation for early release by judges, according to the sheriff’s office.
The jail is also housing 20 inmates who have been sentenced to the Michigan Department of Corrections, but their transfers have been delayed due to executive orders by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. They are expected to be moved out in the near future, the news release states.
The news release further states that the jail currently has 10 inmates and three staff members who’ve tested positive for the virus.
The staff members are on sick leave and the inmates are in quarantine at the jail. Those inmates have their temperatures taken three times a day as do all inmates housed in the East Annex.
Anyone entering the jail facility, including staff are asked screening questions and have their temperature taken prior to being allowed inside.
To combat the spread of COVID-19 in the jail, the sheriff’s office said several measures have been implemented, including:
• COVID-19 screening for inmates and staff
• Regular sanitizing of equipment and common spaces
• Distribution of personal
protection equipment to inmates and personnel
• Quarantining of new inmates and those who may be symptomatic
• All visits done electronically The sheriff’s office further stated
that the Oakland County Jail “will continue to use best practices and follow Center for Disease Control guidelines for correctional facilities.
These procedures will likely continue into the near future even after the Governor’s Orders, State of Emergency, and Disaster Declaration have lifted to keep the care and custody of inmates at the forefront of our operations.”