The Pike County Jail has been under a total lockdown with no transfer of inmates or acceptance of state prisoners for about the last three weeks. That’s according to Pike County Jailer Brian Morris who said the Eastern Kentucky detention center’s population stands at around 370, about 50 less than usual.
Morris noted there is no movement of inmates and no inmates have tested positive for COVID-19. “I’ll be quite frank with you. I’m more worried about my staff bringing it in more so than the inmates. The only way the inmates can get it at this point is by staff or jail personnel,” said Morris.
Morris said two guards at the Pikeville jail have tested negative. He added all visits by organizations like churches, alcoholics anonymous, and narcotics anonymous have been stopped. And the jailer said about 100 inmates used to go out daily on work release and that has been curtailed. Morris noted implementation of new video technology to help families stay in contact came just at the right time. “About three to four months ago, by great luck of chance, we installed video visitation here in Pike County to where all of our inmates do their visitation per video,” explained Morris.
Morris says, even before coronavirus, staff could sense a mood difference with video visitation in place. He added inmates were calmer and more relaxed. The jailer says the Pike County community has responded well to Governor Beshear’s social distancing recommendation.
Here's more of the interview with Pike County Jailer Brian Morris:
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