TYLER, Texas — As the country experiences the latest wave in COVID-19, East Texas sheriff's offices are facing battles - some bigger than others - to keep the virus at bay from inmates and officers.
Due to the recent virus surge and 30 jailer openings, the Smith County Jail is missing a quarter of the officers that the facility employs.
Sgt. Larry Christian, Smith County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson, said Monday because of the omicron variant wave, COVID-19 is rising among inmates and jail officers.
"It’s having a very profound effect on the jail," Christian said.
Last week, there were 21 jailers out due to COVID-19, but the number has slightly decreased to 18 officers, he said. He noted with the 30 open positions, the sheriff's office has around 50 jailers out of commission overall.
"We’re down about a fourth of our jail staff right now. Also, we’re having to pull from patrol, courthouse security and criminal investigations just to shuffle our staff around and get where we are required to be by jail standards," Christian said.
The Texas Commission on Jail Standards, which sets regulations for county jails, requires a ratio of one jailer to every 48 inmates.
"We are meeting those numbers, but we’re shuffling manpower around," Christian added.
As of Monday, 41 Smith County inmates are positive for the virus, according to the Northeast Texas Public Health District.
To mitigate the spread, the sheriff's office continues to make masks and hand sanitizer available for both inmates and jailers. There's also a quarantine process in place for inmates to be separated for several days before going into the general population, Christian said.
He added the jail staff is following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Sheriff Larry Smith has made every effort for vaccines to be available and optional for staff and inmates - but never mandatory, Christian said.
Last week, the Smith County Sheriff's Office announced in-person visitation would be suspended for the next 30 days because of a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases among jail personnel.
Christian noted the in-person visitation is not directly face-to-face. Families and friends could previously go to the north jail to assemble and speak with inmates.
"It (suspending in-person visitation) keeps us from the public potentially bringing in COVID," he said. "Our priority is the protection of inmates inside of the jail."
Video and phone calls are still available to inmates.
Christian added right now this wave of the virus seems to be more contagious without serious complications.
"Nonetheless we still take it seriously," he said. "Jail is a microcosm of the general public. We’re trying to safeguard our inmates the best way we can."
Christian said the sheriff's office also remains focused on the hiring process to fill jailer vacancies. Those who have a high school diploma or GED and no criminal background can visit the Smith County Sheriff's Office website to apply.
In Cherokee County, the COVID-19 numbers are much different, but precautionary measures are ongoing. Sheriff Brent Dickson said the county jail hasn't seen a virus diagnosis for the past two months.
"During the delta variant, our highest number was 40 known cases in the jail. We were able to shut that down with isolation and precautions," he said.
Cherokee County also suspended its in-person visitation as a precaution due to the rising community case counts. The sheriff's office continues to offer video visitation for inmates and visits with their pastors, priests and lawyers, Dickson said.
"In a time of unknown, we’re doing everything we can to keep our staff safe as well as the inmates," he said.
Also for spread reduction, inmates are asked COVID-19-related questions, extra cleaning crews have been brought in and guards wear masks around inmates, Dickson said.
In Henderson County, Sheriff Botie Hillhouse said out of 424 inmates, there are currently zero COVID-19 diagnoses. Twelve out of 173 employees have tested positive for the virus.
In Deep East Texas, the Polk County Sheriff's Office has also suspended in-person visitation and currently 96 inmates are quarantined. Out of the 18 dorms at the Polk County Jail, seven of those dorms are currently under quarantine.
Sheriff Byron A. Lyons announced Monday there are 16 positive COVID-19 cases within the county jail's inmate population.
All inmate movements have been canceled until the quarantine period has ended, and inmates are having their symptoms treated by medical staff, Lyons said.
