August 4, 2021

As Walton County continues to see an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases, the health and safety of our inmate population continues to be a priority for the Walton County Sheriff’s Office.

The following are the protocols currently in effect at the Walton County Jail.

• The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has begun rapid testing inmates located in impacted housing areas.
• Movement has been minimized. Only movement authorized is necessary jail functions such as booking and kitchen duties and doctors appointments.
• Elective programs have been discontinued.
• Inmates have been provided two reusable masks for use during their incarceration.
• If multiple positives occur in a single housing POD, positive cases may remain in the affected POD.
• If inmates’ symptoms get increasingly more severe, inmates are then moved to the medical unit for observation.
• New intakes are currently isolated for five days to protect the current population from the spread.
• Weekenders have been suspended for a two-week time period. At the end of that two weeks, an extension will be evaluated.
• The Medical Director for the jail population and oversees the welfare of the inmates who are under constant medical observation by staff.
• Our emphasis continues to be on prevention and eliminating transmission through education, screening of all new intakes, isolation of suspected cases, and relentless cleaning and sanitation of high-touch areas.

As we await those results, the Jail Operations Division continues to adhere to the Sheriff’s Office response plan and protocols.