Whatcom County Jail restricts inmate visitation due to coronavirus pandemic
The Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that it will be restricting visitation for inmates at the downtown Bellingham jail in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Due to the need to limit larger gatherings, visiting will be limited to a single visitor under the regular visiting schedule, the sheriff’s office said in a release Friday, March 13.
“This decision was made based on the desire to keep inmates, visitors and corrections staff safe and healthy,” the release stated.
Family and friends who are not able to visit are encouraged to use the offender phone system or write letters as an alternative to stay connected with those housed in the jail.
The video visiting system at the Work Center will remain unchanged, the release said, and regular visiting rules will be reinstated once the COVID-19 emergency is over, the release said.
The Department of Corrections also suspended visitations at all correctional facilities in Washington Friday.
Extended family visits are included in the suspension, according to a Thursday, March 12 press release that stated Corrections has authorized reimbursement for families scheduled for the visits.
