Local Jails Releasing Some Inmates Early

It’s no secret that our local county jails and detention centers continually face the problem of overcrowding, but now with the onset of COVID-19, the problem of keeping inmates a safe distance from each other is becoming even more of a problem.

Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas tells WLHR News he’s had to release some nonviolent offenders.

“We have released some, those who were close to probation or they were close to being released we released them early. However, that’s not everybody. That’s not violent offenders with crimes against persons, and felons,” he said. “Anyone else, we’re trying to get them out of here as soon as possible.”

Thomas said there are no jail inmates in the Franklin County Detention Center right now that have shown any of the symptoms of the coronavirus.

He said if they do, there is a medical staff on site that can run the test.  In Hart County, the situation is similar.

Hart County Sheriff Mike Cleveland says he has also had to let some inmates out early.

“We’ve been trying to get Probation to get some of theirs out,” he said. “Sometimes, though it seems that as we release three we have to lock up two or three more. Anyway, we have cut down a little bit.”

And over in Stephens County, Sheriff Randy Shirley said he’s had to reduce the inmate population at his jail by about 35%.

Shirley said for the past month they have been allowing city and county misdemeanor probation violators out early.

He adds that his staff is also working with Mountain Judicial Circuit Judges to lower bonds of non-violent inmates charged with both felony and misdemeanor offenses.