Washington County addresses inmate safety with COVID mitigation project

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Washington County Jail has long been focused on preventing the spread of illness, which led to the initiation of its COVID mitigation project.

On Nov. 13, the Washington County Courthouse hosted a presentation on the project's progress, highlighting efforts to address social distancing concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the support of federal funding, the county has implemented effective solutions to enhance safety measures.

The project specifically addresses medical concerns, detainee intake and release procedures, and social distancing protocols, prioritizing the health and safety of both detainees and staff.

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According to county officials, this mitigation project will help inmates stop the spread of illnesses.

"Once COVID hit us in 2020, we realized right away that our current jail facility was never designed to be able to isolate people into smaller groups, and smaller housing units," Washington County Sheriff Cantrell said.

The Washington County Jail faced significant challenges during the pandemic, prompting federal assistance to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19.

"The federal government in its wisdom sent some money along to the counties and cities to help mitigate COVID," Sheriff Cantrell said.

In response, the county proposed a COVID mitigation project designed to enhance the health and safety of inmates and residents.

Washington County Judge Patrick Deakins emphasized the county's commitment to inmate well-being. "COVID knocked us off track a little bit, but we're about to get back on track and really bring a lot of great things to this facility," Deakins said.

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The intake and release areas of the jail can pose a risk for contamination, potentially affecting residents outside the facility.

"Particularly separating the intake and release," Cantrell said. "Then, you know they're not going to take something back home to their family, maybe back to their grandmother or their grandfather who is compromised in their health and cause them to end up in the hospital or worse."

Judge Deakins wants county residents to understand the importance of the project in mitigating the spread of COVID.

"It's supporting a very vulnerable population that intersects with our criminal justice world down at the jail," Deakins said. "I'm proud of this. I would heavily endorse this project. Once again, just to restore the dignity and the health and safety and welfare of our inmates."

The project aims to add approximately 36,000 square feet of space and renovate an additional 2,000 square feet.