The Morgan County Sheriff's Office closed their doors today to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. The only people being let in or out of the sheriff's office right now are employees and bondsmen.
Morgan County Sheriff's Office PIO, Mike Swafford, said, "We just don't want to bring the thought of having coronavirus in here and then it spreading quickly because we're close quarters. We have individuals because of drug usage and other concerns that have suppressed immune systems, so we're trying to secure the facility for our people and for the inmates as much as we can."
They are moving everything online. That includes renewing concealed carry permits, putting money on inmates accounts, and even visitation. Right now, the jail is offering each inmate two free online visits every week.
"We have visitation three days a week, usually a large crowd in our lobby," said Swafford. "To help mitigate that, we have moved all that to a remote access so they can do it from their home, their cell phone."
Deputies have stopped taking inmates out for work release, and before people are booked into the jail, their temperatures are taken.
Swafford said, "Once that happens, there are screening questions that have been designed just to ask about their travel, where they've been and any symptoms they might have to try to identify could they possibly have the coronavirus."
The jail has two negative pressure rooms if they do need to quarantine any inmates.
They are also stocking their patrol cars with cleaning supplies, masks, and gloves to protect their deputies.
Renew or apply for a pistol permit in Morgan County by clicking here.