Starke County Sheriff Bill Dulin says things are operating as normal as possible under the current circumstances.
He stated that there are no positive cases of COVID-19 in any of the employees at the Starke County Justice Center. They are taking precautions as recommended by the CDC. No positive cases have been found among the inmate population.
Dulin said when new inmates are processed their temperature is taken before being placed in the general population. He is working with the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office to determine the processing of Level 6 and misdemeanor offenders.
He commented that his jailers are not taking any transfers from any state prison system or out-of-county inmates during this time to keep those incarcerated protected from the virus. Once the virus is introduced in an institution like a jail it is hard to exercise social distancing and to quarantine inmates.
Visitation with inmates is also still on hold until Governor Eric Holcomb lifts the stay-at-home order and the Public Health Disaster Emergency Declaration. For now, mail and email are acceptable forms of communication.
Dulin noted that the current population at the jail is 93 which includes Therapeutic Community inmates. The capacity at the jail is 148.
Starke County Community Corrections staff members continue to monitor home detention participants and follow recommended guidelines when making home visits.
