St. Landry Parish Sheriff Bobby Guidroz has suspended visitation a the parish jail.
In a news release, Guidroz stated, “As you are aware, the risk of health complications due to COVID-19, known as Coronavirus, continues to escalate. These risks have created an urgent situation in our parish jail that necessitates extra care and concern for the safety of our offenders, staff and the public at large. My visitation suspension also covers the 39 inmates we have housed in three parish facilities across the state.
“Additionally, and effective immediately, I have suspended department of corrections inmate transfers, parish jail prayer services, outside fingerprint requests, and inmate work release programs where trustees are conditionally employed, and where they were assigned to assist at public events. Medical transfers that are absolutely necessary will continue.”
Other changes include:
— Inmate pickups for offenders with outstanding warrants are being completed on a case by case basis. Offender court proceedings (magistrate hearings) are being restricted to tele-court over a camera and monitor.
— All pre-scheduled criminal court days will proceed on a normal previously set schedule. The only difference will be that the judges will restrict the number of people allowed in court before, during and after the proceeding.
— Tax and civil matters at the sheriff’s complex may continue due to the extra protection installed at the counter facilities in the tax building.
— Walk-ins for criminal complaints can be taken at the complex, however, we encourage the public to call in if the matter can be addressed by telephone. That number is 337-948-6516.
