SARASOTA – Since Monday’s initial report of 30 inmates testing positive for COVID-19, an inmate’s parent at the Sarasota County Jail claims 21 new prisoners have surfaced with positive test results. With their own son contracting the deadly virus.
“Where are they going to put them? How can they separate? How can they social distance?” said the inmates mother.
The mother of the inmate who wishes to remain anonymous tells SNN, since Mondays report she claims two jail pods have now been compromised. And inmate’s temperatures and symptoms aren’t being monitored to understand the spread of the outbreak.
Major Brian Meinberg confirmed the number of positive cases in the jail more than doubled. Bringing the total to 53 intimates testing positive among three jail pods, and the infections have been contained to the isolated pods. However, the inmates inside tell a different story.
“As far as providing anything for the inmates they gave them a mop, a broom, and disinfectant spray. That’s it,” said the inmates mother.
Major Meinberg however argues all pods are given cleaning equipment and are disinfectants twice a day. Inmates are even given to wear two cloth masks.
But the inmate’s mother says her son and others inside the jail aren’t being kept up to date with what’s happening outside their cells.
“They are afraid because they don’t really have a lot information because they were in’ there before when the pandemic hit,” then mother said. “All they have is what they tell them in jail.”
In a statement released to SNN. “No inmate requires hospitalization or breathing treatments. Temperature checks are done along with a full screening at intake and whenever an inmate is symptomatic or under quarantine due to a potential exposure; all inmates are able to submit a sick call request directly to the nurse twice daily during medication pass, and on demand via our electronic grievance system.”
