Abbott suspends in-person visitations as COVID cases continue to rise in Texas jails
All in-person visitations at county and municipal jails in Texas were suspended by an executive order from Gov. Greg Abbott on Friday.
This suspension does not apply to visitation by an attorney who is meeting with a client or visits from a religious leader or member of the clergy.
In-person visitations have been suspended at the Tarrant County Jail — where, as of last week, 121 inmates have tested positive for COVID-19 — since March.
Abbott previously directed state prisons, jails and juvenile justice facilities to restrict visitation upon issuing his COVID-19 disaster declaration.
“Jails have shown to be highly susceptible to COVID-19 surges, which is why we are focused on containing any potential hot spots and preventing spread both within jails and the community,” Abbott said in a news release. “I encourage jails to utilize virtual visitation strategies to allow for visitations in a way that protects both staff and the inmate population.”
As of May 18, there were 44 active cases in the Tarrant County Jail among 3,563 inmates. All of the positive inmates are in quarantine and are being treated by John Peter Smith Hospital medical staff, Lt. Jennifer Gabbert said.
Seventy-seven inmates have recovered. No deaths have been reported.
Of the staff, 39 have tested positive. Ten have recovered and returned to work.
