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Orange County Coronavirus

Coronavirus Outbreak in OC Jails Triggers Early Inmate Releases and Worker Safety Protests

JESSICA RUIZ, Voice of OC

A sheriff walks into the Orange County Central Men's jail on Oct. 23 2019.

By Spencer Custodio Spencer Custodio and Brandon Pho | April 1, 2020
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Orange County jails experienced a novel coronavirus outbreak over the past week and on Tuesday, officials announced plans to early release jail inmates, having already released nearly 1,000 people since March 1. 


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Meanwhile, jail workers are increasingly voicing concerns over their own safety.  

This week, a group of defense attorneys asked U.S. District Judge James Selna to clear out the county jails after at least five prisoners tested positive for the novel coronavirus over the past week. The attorneys asked the judge to order people with less than six months in their sentences be released and recall all active arrest warrants.   

“Plaintiffs request an order to release prisoners: those serving sentences for misdemeanors, or awaiting trial for misdemeanors, those held for probation or parole violations or for immigration, those with remaining actual custody time to release of less than 6 moths, all these held on non-violent charges, and all other pretrial detainees who can post $10,000 bond,” reads the Monday filing in the U.S. District Court. 

Sheriff Don Barnes said the department is reducing the number of people locked up. 

“We are doing everything within our ability to manage COVID-19 within the jails while caring for the inmates and the staff who are courageously working there, coupled with mitigating the risk to the public at large. Our efforts have been focused on reducing the number of inmates in dormitory and barracks style housing consistent with social distancing. We are balancing this effort while managing a mega jail and the complexities that brings,” said Barnes in a statement. 

The filing seeking the jail releases stems from an existing lawsuit against the County and its jailhouse phone contractor, GTL. 

On Tuesday, Orange County Sheriff Commander Joe Balicki told OC Supervisors that 130 inmates were released over the weekend after the department agreed to release people with less than 10 days left on their sentences. 

Sheriff’s union president Tom Dominguez, in a letter last Wednesday, urged Barnes to authorize the early release of nonviolent inmates with less than 30 days left on their sentences. 

Although the department originally agreed to release prisoners with 10 days or less left on their sentences last Friday, it extended the remaining sentence threshold to 30 days or less. 

“We’ve reduced our jail population since March 1 by nearly 1,000 individuals,” Balicki told Supervisors at Tuesday’s virus update public meeting, which was broadcast on the County of Orange website. “Yesterday, we directed our jail staff to conduct 30-day early releases. We released 162 individuals, 22 of those were medically vulnerable.

Since last Friday, a total of 292 people were released, including 70 people that are considered medically vulnerable: people over 65 and people with existing health issues. 

“It has allowed us an opportunity to conduct somewhat of a managed social distancing,” Balicki said. 

As of Tuesday morning, Balicki said there are “10 individuals in medical isolation, five of which tested positive for COVID-19 and we have 193 individuals in quarantine.”

Isolation is for people who tested positive for the virus, or show symptoms of it. Quarantine is for people who were nearby the confirmed cases, but don’t show any outward symptoms of the virus. 

Sheriff spokeswoman Carrie Braun said the Orange County Health Care Agency recommends who gets tested and conducts the testing. 

The CDC recommends maintaining a six-foot distance from other people in order to curb the spread of the virus — a practice known as social distancing. 

“We have had a few individuals from our staff that have went home with flu-like symptoms, but tests came back negative on COVID-19,” Balicki said. 

Supervisor Don Wagner questioned whether the inmates released are potentially exposing others to the virus when they get home. 

“Everyone’s monitored for flu-like symptoms. If they exhibit flu-like symptoms, they will be tested,” Balicki said. 

Wagner followed up, “If somebody is symptomatic and they fall into that [early release] protocol … would you release them or hold them until the end of their term?” 

Balicki said they’re not holding anybody from being released that doesn’t fall under any of the early release categories or if they finished their sentence and they work with the Health Care Agency on how to best handle the situation — either isolation at home or placement in a facility if the person is homeless. 

Braun said the sheriff’s department is using the timeframes given by an OC Superior Court administrative order from Presiding Judge Kirk Nakaumra.

“The sheriff’s been very clear that the agreement with the court provided the latitude for him to look at early releases for individuals up to 60 days out, and those who are in that vulnerable population that’s at risk population, and we have been addressing those up to 60 days,” she said. 

Meanwhile, numerous jail nurses spoke out anonymously about their concerns over crucial supply shortages among jail health workers and Sheriff’s deputies.

The jail nurses said nasal swabs used for testing are running low, along with respirator masks and other personal protective equipment.

Charles Barfield, general manager for the county employees’ labor union, said union members “assigned to the jails are concerned with the limited supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) needed to safely perform their jobs.”

“We all know there is a national resourcing issue; but this is not business as usual,” he said.

Their concerns echo reports of supply shortages at medical facilities around the county, and across the U.S. 

“I would say PPE is in high demand everywhere,” Braun said, adding health care workers in the jail like nurses “have additional priority” for personal protective equipment because they’re healthcare workers — they obtain personal protective equipment separately from law enforcement”. 

“There’s not one cache of PPE that’s used for everyone in the jail … (health care workers) have additional access to supply as medical providers,” Braun said, adding that the equipment is reserved for Sheriff’s deputies and medical workers interacting with those in isolation or in quarantine.

Spencer Custodio is a Voice of OC staff reporter. You can reach him at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerCustodio

Brandon Pho is a Voice of OC reporting fellow. Contact him at [email protected] or on Twitter @photherecord

What is COVID-19? Do I have it?

INFORMATION View the CDC website. View OC's website. View the latest OC case counts.

TRANSLATIONS See the county's guides in non-English languages. Learn key Coronavirus facts in Vietnamese and Spanish via VietRise. See VietRISE guides in Spanish and Vietnamese.

PROTECTION To limit exposure, the CDC recommends: wash your hands often, avoid close contact with others, cover your mouth and nose with a cloth mask when around others, cover coughs and sneezes, clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces.

SYMPTOMS The CDC identifies these key symptoms that can occur any time between 2 and 14 days after exposure: Fever or chills, cough and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle or body aches,  headache, new loss of taste or smell, sore throat, congestion or runny nose, nausea or vomiting or diarrhea. If you suspect Coronavirus, CALL your primary medical provider.

EMERGENCY SYMPTOMS If you display any of the following emergency warning signs, seek immediate medical attention: difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, persistent pain or pressure in the chest, new confusion or inability to arouse, or bluish lips or face.

RISK The CDC identifies people most at risk for serious illness: Older adults, and people who have serious chronic medical conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and lung disease.

What is open?

RESIDENTS The County of Orange offers a list of notices and news on what guidance is given for families and persons.

SCHOOLS The latest information for the county is available from the Orange County Board of Education.

STATE GUIDE TO WHAT IS OPEN A full list of statewide guidelines for what is open and what is closed.

SOCIAL DISTANCING Staying away from other people is called "social distancing." The aim is to SLOW the spread of Coronavirus so as to not overwhelm the nation's health care systems and so that people in need can get help. The Washington Post explains: "The spread (of COVID-19) can be slowed, public health professionals say, if people practice "social distancing" by avoiding public spaces and generally limiting their movement."

What support is available?

STRESS & ANXIETY Stress and anxiety can be triggered by the situation and resources are available to help from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America and from the American Psychology Association. Concern over this new virus can make children and families anxious, here are tips on talking with children about COVID-19.

MENTAL HEALTH The County of Orange offers a list of available mental health support services.

FIRST RESPONDERS The County of Orange offers these support services for first responders and health care workers.

BUSINESSES & ORGANIZATIONS The County of Orange offers a list of up-to-date guidelines for business and faith-based/community organizations.

FOOD ASSISTANCE Voice of OC offers a weekly list of available food pantries in Orange County. You can also apply for food benefits over the phone through the CalFresh program at 800-281-9799 or online.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Buses and trains still offer service, but routes have been reduced so make sure to check your route ahead of time.

HOMELESSNESS The County of Orange offers a list of available shelter beds and other resources.

GENERAL FINANCIAL HELP Here are some services:

  •   • Find information on unemployment and disability benefits.
  •   • The Orange County Social Services Agency, despite closing its lobby, is processing online filings for assistance programs. This includes emergency cash assistance for immediate needs like rent or medical bills. The phone line has averaged a 30 minute wait time and offers a callback service, but people are encouraged to apply for benefits online.
  •   • Residents can apply for any of these programs by calling 800-281-9799.

RESTAURANT OWNERS & EMPLOYEES You can find a detailed list of resources available to restaurant owners and employees

How can I help?

VOLUNTEERING A statewide guide offers examples of ways to volunteer safely during Coronavirus. Options include, but are not limited to: donating plasma, making cloth face masks and supporting local food banks. Orange County's Second Harvest Food Bank lists support options online.

DONATIONS An Orange County Community Resilience Fund has been started through the OC Community Foundation to raise money for local nonprofits and volunteer organizations.

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