Jails and coronavirus

Real problem for then

Some inmates...to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

Abc 36's alexus larson went to a detention center trying to keep the virus away..

As jails worry about new health consequences of a years long overcrowding problem.

### "the jailer at the scott county detention center says his facility is at a higher risk for the coronavirus.

He says it's overcrowded,they get new people coming inside every day, and there's people in the vulnerable age group."

"social distancing is not an option in our facility.

We have cells that are made for six individuals that have ten and eleven individuals in there."

Jailer derran broyles says there are 86 beds but more than 100 inmates inside.

On average.

He says he'll get about ten new inmates a day.worrisome when doctors continue to preach keeping distance between us to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

"it's very difficult to quarantine new inmates that come in."

That's why broyles is one of the jailers across the state...across the country... "freeing" some inmates.

If chosen, low risk inmates will wear an ankle monitor and be on house arrest.

Broyles says 29 inmates are doing it right now.

And it's helping.

"it's making our facility a safer facility even if thecoronavirus wasn't occurring."

Broyles says he's also isolating the the most vulnerable.

Older inmates or those with medical conditions.

C1 3 "we're just trying to take every precaution here."

Following the state's orders...there is no visitation right now.

Only essential personnel are coming in.

Broyles is also working with police to make sure officers are only arresting people who really have to be arrested so he doesn't have even more overcrowding.

When a new inmate arrives....they get a temperature check...if it's good they go through a sanitizing station.

"our best option is to keep the virus out of our facility."

Broyles says across the state.

Jails have stopped transporting inmates and anyone with a court date...will teleconference in.

As the virus spreads.

He says he's working closely with others in his field...and the state to make sure he's doing what he can to keep people healthy.

In scott county, alexus larson, abc 36 news.