The Butte County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) is dedicated to mitigating the risks presented by the COVID-19 pandemic to inmates and staff within the Butte County Jail (BCJ).  BCSO is working cooperatively with the Butte County Public Health Department and Wellpath, the jail’s medical services provider, to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 within the jail and provide appropriate care for those inmates who have been infected with the illness. In response to the risks posed by COVID-19, BCSO and Wellpath have taken numerous steps consistent with, or exceeding national corrections standards and best practices as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). BCJ has also implemented robust additional cleaning, sanitation, and medical screening procedures to mitigate and address the spread of COVID-19 in the BCJ.

ENTRY INTO THE JAIL

All persons, including staff, outside law enforcement partners, and contractors are medically screened prior to entering BCJ.  Currently, screening includes a review of symptomatology, and temperature checks.  Anyone who does not meet medical screening criteria is denied entry into BCJ.  In addition to this medical screening, hand sanitizing stations are available, as well as required wearing of masks and protective eyewear as appropriate inside the jail.

INMATE SCREENING

All arrestees are medically screened by Wellpath outside BCJ’s intake area. Any arrestee who reports an exposure or is showing symptoms of COVID-19 upon arrest will be tested and quarantined per CDC guidelines.

Any inmate who presents with symptoms consistent with COVID-19 will receive a COVID-19 test and medically evaluated by Wellpath medical staff and medically isolated.  Any housing units or pods exposed to someone with suspected COVID-19 will be quarantined.  Proper personal protective equipment (PPE) guidelines are adhered to by staff and affected inmates in accordance with CDC guidelines.  All inmates at BCJ are provided masks and encouraged to wear a mask at all times.

Inmates have and continue to be educated continuously about COVID-19 symptoms and precautions by Wellpath staff.  Signs are posted throughout BCJ outlining preventative measures as well as stressing the importance of cleanliness, hygiene, and sanitary practices.

Wellpath and Butte County Sheriff’s Office are segregating asymptomatic inmates in pods apart from the rest of BCJ’s inmate population. 

DAILY COVID-19 UPDATE FOR AUGUST 9, 2022

• BCJ - Estimate of 4815 total inmate tests completed with

• 4230 negative
• 506 recovered

• BCJ currently has 3 positive in-custody inmate COVID 19 cases
• BCJ has 0 inmate COVID-19 tests pending.
• Butte County Sheriff’s Office has conducted 621 tests on staff members.  
• There have been a total of 189 staff cases of COVID-19 to-date. 185 of those have recovered and returned to work.
• BCJ’s inmate population update is as follows:

• BCJ inmate population on March 1, 2020: 569
• BCJ inmate population as of AUGUST 9, 2022: 530

Please note that medical privacy laws prevent the sharing of private medical information, which includes COVID-19-related information.  Accordingly, the County and its medical provider cannot share personal health information about inmates infected with COVID-19. 

ENHANCED CLEANING AND HYGEINE

All inmates are provided with free soap and enhanced cleaning supplies.  Further, BCJ has greatly enhanced its cleaning schedule to mitigate the risks presented by COVID-19. 

JAIL POPULATION

Keeping public safety in mind, and focusing on vulnerable populations, BCSO continues to cooperate with other branches of the criminal justice system in an effort to reduce the inmate population and minimize the risks presented by COVID-19.

VISITATION AND TELEPHONE CALLS

BCSO understands how important visitation is for inmates, their loved ones, and attorneys.  Unfortunately, to mitigate the risks presented by COVID-19, BCJ has suspended visitation with the exception of attorney visits, which are being permitted on a non-contact basis only. BCSO request all persons with necessary business at BCJ postpone their visit if they are experiencing any symptoms of a respiratory illness.

Telephone calls remain available.

ATTORNEY PHONE CALLS

Attorney phone calls are available to inmates during the pandemic. 

ADDITIONAL COVID-19 INFO LINKS

The care of BCJ’s patient population is Wellpath’s number one priority.  Wellpath is committed to following CDC guidelines when it comes to treating BCJ’s patient population.  Wellpath realizes that these guidelines are fluid and continues to evaluate its processes to be sure that its practices align with current CDC guidelines.  Additional information regarding COVID-19 can be accessed via the links below:

Butte County Public Health Department

Interim Guidance on Management of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Correctional and Detention Facilities [cdc.gov]

Evaluating and Testing Persons for Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) [cdc.gov]

Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings [cdc.gov]

Public Health Recommendations for Community-Related Exposure [cdc.gov]

NOTICE RE MEDICAL RECORDS

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) regulations prohibit the release of patient medical information without a signed authorization from the patient or evidence of an exception identified in the regulations.