Limited Reductions Of Jail Population In Place

Some non-violent offenders and individuals nearing the end of their sentence are being released by the Putnam County Sheriffs Department.

The moves an effort to protect the jail from the COVID-19 virus, according to Sheriff Eddie Farris.

“The general Sessions judges, as well as the criminal court judges have been working with us very diligently and very good in a positive manner on doing some,” Farris said. “Releasing some of the inmates that may be within 30 days of their sentence. Non-violent offenders, we’re certainly looking at those and have released some of those some of the people that are in there for non-violent offenders, maybe child support and some other things.”

Farris said the department also looking at any underlying health issues that could make an inmate vulnerable.

Those released early are being given a report order to return to jail when the COVID-19 outbreak ends.

With reductions in the inmate population, Farris said the department has room to do some isolation if needed. The department’s internal medical team continues to monitor inmate’s health as well as jailers and other staffers. Farris said the department is following guidelines from federal and state officials to keep the inmate population safe.

“We’re certainly they take their temperature before they come in and as they come in and as they leave each day,” Farris said. “And so we’re just sort of trying to do all we can to make sure that we can do the very best we can to try to help keep that out of our jail facility.”