SANTA ROSA COUNTY

SHERIFF'S OFFICE

Sheriff Wendell Hall

Santa Rosa Detention addresses MRSA

Sheriff Wendell Hall and the Santa Rosa County Detention Facility is actively addressing issues of concern that affect the overall well being of our inmate population on a daily basis.

During recent months the focus on Staph has become a topic of daily conversation within the various media outlets. Staph is often referred to as MRSA (methicillan-resistant staphylococcus aureus). Although there has been a lot of recent attention to this topic Staph has been an issue of concern for years in jail facilities. The Santa Rosa County Detention Facility has a strict set of preventative measures in place to prevent an outbreak. This process begins with the inmate's initial intake into the facility and is followed until they are released.

All inmates are first seen by medical staff. Medical personnel complete an assessment and identify any open wounds an inmate may have on his person. If wounds are discovered then the medical staff would provide the necessary care. Medical staff will discuss the proper care and precautions the inmate would need to take. Medical staff will then determine and advise detention personnel if the inmate will need to be isolated from other inmates.

Within each of the inmate housing units the inmate is required to keep their immediate area neat and clean. All common areas (i.e., tables, telephones, hand rails, stair rails and showers, etc.) in the facility are sanitized and cleaned daily with a strong solution under the direct supervision of a Detention Deputy. Other preventative measures are taken. These include: Changing the inmate's bed linens weekly and washing the inmate's personal items and uniforms. Inmates are also encouraged not to share personal hygiene items, remain on their bunks and to wash their hands frequently.

With the increase in the inmate population and the environment we work in, it is important to constantly train our staff and encourage our inmates to use universal precautions. This is an on going effort which requires us to reinforce our education and train to ensure the safety of our inmates and staff.

Press Release By:

Marc Ward

Assistant PIO

850-983-1237

850-232-2596