What efforts have been put in place at the Jail to try and minimize the risk of COVID-19?

To try and minimize the spread of COVID-19 and prevent it from entering the jail as long as possible,

  • We issued masks to staff so that we could protect the inmate population from us. 
  • We initiated stringent screening tools to catch symptomatic individuals under arrest before they even exited the patrol car. 
  • Sheriff Mascara communicated with our neighboring agencies to make every effort to use alternate methods to arrest. 
  • We worked with the courts, state attorney, public defender’s office and private attorneys to mitigate as many sentences as well as release individuals that were low risk to the public.
  • We ceased transfer of all inmates to and from other agencies
  • All staff members are temperature checked upon reporting for work as are the inmate workers
  • Visitation was stopped as the congregation of the public in closed rooms could only enhance the possibility of the spread of the virus.
  • Professional Attorney visitation in person was immediately stopped.  They were provided the opportunity to visit via video on site or via the internet off-site. This is still suspended.
  • Inmate programs were cancelled to eliminate the spread via the incoming people and also avoid the mixing of different housing units.

Show All Answers

1. When did the St. Lucie County Jail begin planning for COVID-19?
2. What efforts have been put in place at the Jail to try and minimize the risk of COVID-19?
3. What is done to ensure new inmates don't infect the current inmates?
4. Who is the Sheriff's Office working with on COVID-19 issues?
5. How has food service changed at the Jail?