Social distancing isn’t entirely possible inside a jail, where, by definition, people are confined in close quarters.
But by implementing comprehensive prevention and protection measures, Monroe County’s three jails have thus far reported no COVID-19 cases among their 420 countywide inmates.
With 392 inmates currently in the Stock Island jail, the highly contagious virus could spread like a Key West rumor.
As jails and prisons in the hardest-hit areas of the nation struggle wkeuysith what some have called “a ticking time bomb” of community spread, Monroe County’s corrections officers are working double time to keep the virus out.
“We’ve had three arrestees who were showing symptoms when they came in, so we quarantined them in a separate unit until we got their test results. Fortunately, they all came back negative,” said Major Tim Age, bureau of corrections commander at the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. “The inmates feel that they’re relatively safe from the virus, at least while they’re here, because we haven’t had any cases. Now our job isn’t just to keep people in, but also keep this virus out.”
To do that, the jail building is closed to all but employees, inmates, attorneys and delivery workers, all of whom have their temperature checked before they’re able to access the building, Age said.
All new arrestees are screened before they enter the jail. A nurse meets the incoming inmate at the patrol car that’s bringing them in. They take their temperature and other vital signs and ask them about recent travel activities.
“If they have traveled someplace, then they’re placed in 14-day quarantine in our Alpha Unit, which has been designated for that use,” Age said. “If they are symptomatic when they arrive here, we send them to the hospital for clearance. So far, all three people we’ve sent to the hospital have come back negative for COVID-19.”
In addition, Sheriff Rick Ramsay issued an order for all law enforcement personnel in Monroe County, including Key West Police, to replace arrests with a notice to appear in court whenever possible for nonviolent and more minor offenses, Age said.
“It’s at the deputies’ and officers’ discretion, but everyone’s arrests are way, way down,” Age said, adding that, so far, Ramsay has not had to ask the state for permission to release some nonviolent inmates in an effort to increase social distancing inside a jail.
“We haven’t had to do that as of now, because our arrest numbers are so low,” Age said. “Unfortunately, inmates are still kept two to a room, but we no longer move large groups of inmates among various units in the jail, and corrections workers are now wearing masks in order to protect the inmates, because with no cases inside the jail, our employees would be the ones most likely to introduce it to the inmate population.”
Court appearances and hearings are being conducted via video conferencing to ensure no one has to remain in jail any longer than is necessary.
“We’ve always done first appearance hearings via video conferencing, but now the judges are doing all arraignments and other types of hearings the same way,” Age said.
Age also commended the entire corrections bureau staff and Capt. Jonathan Crane, who have been going above and beyond the call of duty to keep others safe during the pandemic.
“Capt. Crane and his staff have met with the inmate population and are answering any questions they have,” Age said. “The staff’s attitude and morale really need to be complimented. They’re really taking this all in stride and proudly doing the job they’ve sworn to do. The sheriff is also always open to ideas, suggestions and concerns, and the health department has really been a great partner with us in these unprecedented times.”
