Good Evening,
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Detention Division has established protocols and procedures to proactively prevent the potential exposure of COVID-19 in our Detention facilities. Guidelines are currently in place to provide for the prevention of transmission, management of suspected or confirmed cases, and routine facility cleaning and disinfecting procedures. One of the Detention Division’s primary goals is to provide a safe and secure environment for inmates within our care as well as community members who visit our facilities.
The Detention Division acknowledges that inmate visitation is an essential component for inmates to maintain communication and relationships with family members and loved ones. Due to the evolving and unpredictable circumstances concerning the potential for community spread of COVID-19, effective March 12, 2020, at 7:00 pm, all in-person (except legal visits) inmate visitation will be suspended until further notice. Regular non-contact visits will continue and will be evaluated daily. The Detention Division is aware this may cause hardships on inmates and their families and friends. We realize the ability to maintain positive relationships with loved ones will be challenged. We have not made this decision lightly, but under the circumstances and in consultation with medical experts, we believe it is the best way to safeguard the health of those in our custody, the staff responsible for their caretaking, and the community. This is precautionary to protect staff, inmates, volunteers, and family members from potential exposure.
This is a challenging time for our community, and we are working through this evolving situation together. We assure you that we will reassess this moratorium on in-person visitation as new information becomes available from our County, State, and Federal public health partners and State Correctional authorities.
Al Vernon, Assistant Sheriff
Detention Division
Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office
