March 21, 2020
By: Dwayne Page
Some inmates incarcerated in the DeKalb County Jail have been given an early release under judicial orders in response to the spread of COVID-19 .
Several non-violent offenders including older ones with pre existing health conditions and those whose sentences were about to expire anyway have been released within the past week to make room should remaining prisoners become infected and have to be quarantined.
Jails across the state and nation are also releasing prisoners to lessen the risk of a pandemic outbreak among the inmate population. The decision locally came after a Tennessee Supreme Court order last week suspending in-person court proceedings until March 31.
“The judges have been good helping us getting the prisoners released that we need out. I met with the criminal court judges and the chancellor in Cookeville last Friday and that evening I met with DeKalb County General Sessions and Juvenile Court Judge Bratten Cook, II and we talked about the inmates we have here. We had some inmates in jail for non-violent crimes who were awaiting bond hearings, arraignments, etc. and others already sentenced who were close to completing their terms. We also looked at older inmates including those with pre existing health conditions. We didn’t want to possibly further endanger their health if someone came into the jail with COVID-19 so the judges did orders on those inmates to release them and we have been doing that since last Friday. We are only releasing inmates who are non-violent. Prisoners incarcerated for violent crimes including sex offenses, robberies, etc. will not be released,” said Sheriff Ray.
“We currently have 27 inmates in our jail and two or three of them will be released when their sentences expire Sunday. Since last Friday, we have only had four new prisoners come into our jail.”
For new prisoners entering the jail, Sheriff Ray said a protocol is being followed to monitor their condition and to keep them from exposing others in the event they should be diagnosed with the virus.
“We have a quarantine cell with three rooms where we lock down inmates who are newcomers to the jail. They go through a protocol and a nurse assesses them for five days to make sure they don’t develop a fever,” he said.
Sheriff Ray began restricting public access to the facility last week until further notice due to the threat of the coronavirus.
“Our number one priority is to prevent possible exposure to staff as well as inmates therefore we have placed the sheriff’s office and jail on a soft lock down which means that the general public is not able to enter the facility. The front door to the lobby has been locked. Anyone in need of an officer or services such as a warrant must press a button at the front door which will ring for a correctional officer who will meet you at the door to offer assistance,” said Sheriff Ray.
For all non-emergency issues please call 615-597-4935.
“Tuesday night church services and family visitations with inmates at the jail are prohibited except for online visitations and the inmate roadside litter pickup program has been suspended until the threat subsides,” said Sheriff Ray.
“Rather than an in court appearance, video conferences are being arranged for defendants needing an immediate hearing before a judge for certain matters such as bond conditions, etc.,” he said.
To keep the jail from being infected, regular wipe downs are being conducted throughout the jail and cell areas.
The pandemic threat has also created a lack of some menu food items and cleaning products at the jail as the supply from vendors has run short although a new shipment is expected in a few days.