Deschutes County Jail inmate population cut in half in recent weeks

Deputies making more arrests through criminal citations

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office has begun issuing criminal citations for misdemeanors and some felonies, in an attempt to limit the number of inmates in its jail.

The goal is to limit the number of interactions between deputies and inmates to lower the potential spread of COVID-19.

Before the pandemic, the Deschutes County Jail held about 300 inmates on an average day. That number has been cut in half, to about 150. 

According to a survey conducted by Disability Rights Oregon, the Crook County Jail has also cut its inmate population by around 50%.

Before deciding on whether an offender will be sent to jail or issued a criminal citation, deputies will look at the person's criminal history to determine whether or not they are a danger to society. 

"We still want to keep our community safe," said sheriff's Sgt. William Bailey, the agency's public information officer. "So if there is a public safety risk, if the charges are a serious person crime, if it's a domestic violence situation, DUII case or any case where an officer has a set of facts that there is a risk to the community by not lodging that person to jail, we will still accept them into the facility."

Issuing a criminal citation does not reduce the seriousness of the offense. Bailey added that the sheriff's office has always tried to issue citations instead of making arrests. He also said he's unsure if the sheriff's office will continue issuing criminal citations at the current rate.