Middlesex Jail Reports Zero Coronavirus Cases

The Middlesex Sheriff's Office reported there were zero coronavirus cases in the Middlesex Jail as of Thursday. This is the first time the incarcerated population has had zero positives since the initial case was confirmed on March 27. There are 562 people in custody, down nearly 30 percent from 788 on March 7.

“I want to commend our entire staff – from the medical professionals and line officers to administrators and support staff – for their incredible work in responding to this pandemic,” said Sheriff Koutoujian. “From the outset, their professionalism and meticulous efforts in the face of this international public health challenge have been nothing short of incredible.”

Four people have either entered the facility COVID-positive or tested positive upon admission. In total, 41 inmates were reported as positive with 40 having recovered and one having been released before completing his medical isolation period.

The jail said the decline in population – achieved as a result of collaborative efforts between the MSO, District Attorney Marian Ryan and the judiciary – allowed the office to implement steps to enhance social distancing efforts including the closure of multiple dormitory-style housing units.

Along with extra cleanings of the facility, MSO is offering routine consultation with internal and external medical professionals including an infectious diseases specialist and four free phone calls of up to 20 minutes, every week, for each inmate, among other things.

The reduction efforts included tripling the number of people on electronic monitoring and by collaborating with District Attorney Marian Ryan to conduct bail reviews. The drop in population has also been aided by a decline in new arrestees, scheduled releases for sentenced individuals, and the recent Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruling allowing pretrial individuals being held on certain charges to have their bail revisited.