Dougherty County Jail releases inmates amid COVID-19 concerns

ALBANY, Ga. — The Dougherty County Jail is doing their part to enforce social distancing within the facility.

Throughout the week, law enforcement has dropped the inmate population by almost 25% to limit potential spread of the virus.

Many of the inmates released were those who had violated probation or committed a non-violent offense.

Chief Jailer John Ostrander tells us, “Here, it’s absolutely critical. Of course, we’re charged with the health and safety of the inmate population. We have not only the obligation under the law, but also the moral responsibility to do everything in our power to protect this group of individuals.”

Ostrander says that as of today, more than 150 inmates have been release.