“Unfortunately, Judge, I do have to report that what we’re seeing out in our community is beginning to creep into our jail,” Villalpando said.
Villalpando told court members that as of June 22, 36 inmates have tested positive for the coronavirus, as have with nine correctional officers.
In addition, there are 39 pending tests from correctional officers and 35 pending tests from inmates.
According to Villalpando, inmates are provided with masks and cleaning supplies. Staff also conducts temperature checks, and common areas are sanitized twice a week, while the entire living area is sanitized once a week. Villalpando also told court members that the jail is working with Mike Jones, interim director of emergency services in Hays County, to conduct more testing at the jail.
“It’s hard to really do the 6-foot social distancing with the inmates when we don’t have the space,” Villalpando told court members.
She explained that having a crowded jail presents difficulties during the coronavirus pandemic, but she asserted that staff is doing "everything possible" to keep everyone safe.
Hays County Judge Ruben Becerra added that 31 people had been sent to the county jail by the Kyle Police Department and 23 by the San Marcos Police Department, though he did not reference specific dates.
Becerra said he was sharing the number of arrests by agency to communicate the severity of the situation at the county jail and urged local entities to “entertain through their leadership the conversation” of whether a person really needs to be arrested for certain low-level offenses or if they can be cited instead.
“I want them to just think about it. That’s all,” Becerra concluded.
The city of San Marcos recently adopted a cite-and-release ordinance in which a law enforcement officer issues a citation for certain low-level offenses instead of taking someone into custody.
Villalpando said she expects the number of positive cases at the county jail to jump in the next few days as pending test results become available.
