NEW: Coronavirus prompts changes in Codington County Detention Center procedures  (Audio)

March 18, 2020
Mike Tanner

WATERTOWN, S.D.—The COVID-19 pandemic has caused some changes in the day to day operations at the Codington County Detention Center.

Sheriff Brad Howell says ten inmates who were on work release were released from jail Friday to limit the amount of people coming and going from the facility on a daily basis.

The courts are trying to utilize the interactive system (ITV) as much as possible, so inmates can make appearances via video conferencing from the jail, without having to be physically moved to a courtroom.

Howell says they’re also screening every person who comes into the jail, not just inmates, but lawyers, deputies, correctional officers and court staff…

Howell says they’re trying to prevent any unnecessary visits to the jail…

He says the changes that have been made will remain in place until further notice…

The jail’s inmate population as of this morning was 54.