MARICOPA COUNTY – On Sunday, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office announced that access to jail facilities for volunteer or supplemental services in response to the coronavirus outbreak.
The directive will not affect access for court ordered interactions or legal obligations.
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone released a statement Sunday:
At this time, there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in our jails. I make this decision, however, as a precautionary measure to protect our officers, staff, and the incarcerated population to mitigate the potential spread of this disease.
Our newly established tablet technology, which is deployed throughout our jail system, allows family, friends and community members to continue to communicate with inmates through the use of video visitation, messaging and e-mails.
Further restrictions involving all inmate visits and programs will be evaluated daily as new information is provided by County, State and Federal Public Health organizations and in consultation with our inmate health care provider (Maricopa County Correctional Health Services).
Disinfection activity continues and includes more frequent sanitizing of frequently-touched surfaces and recommendations to staff and inmates about frequent hand washing with soap.
I am also in contact with private industry to determine availability of additional safety equipment and products to facilitate safety and sanitary health needs within our jail system.