Richland County jail releasing some non-violent, low-level offenders due to COVID-19

MANSFIELD — The Richland County Jail has worked with local courts in releasing non-violent, low-level offenders in response to COVID-19.

Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. Capt. Chris Blunk said the move is to allow authorities to better manage the facility in the event someone is diagnosed with coronavirus.

“The jail capacity is 234 inmates and (Wednesday) morning the jail population was at 223,” Blunk said.

The captain said the jail has implemented new procedures over the several days as preventative measures.

Some of the new procedures are as follows:

— All volunteer/program services suspended

— Inmate visitation suspended

— Numerous cleaning directives

— Numerous hygiene directives

— Usage of personal protective equipment.

— Usage of the video visit stations for essential visits

— Screening of all persons entering the secured perimeter