Law enforcement officials and the inmates that they are responsible for overseeing are facing challenges brought on by COVID-19. The Marion Correctional Institution, 50 miles north of Columbus, has nearly 2,000 inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19. That represents about 80% of the prison's inmates.
In Hamilton County, three sheriff's deputies have tested positive for COVID-19 while several inmates housed in jail are currently in isolation awaiting test results, according to a department spokesman. At present, no inmates have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. All inmates booked at the jail are immediately quarantined and provided with masks and hygiene care packages.
In pre-recorded interviews, Cincinnati Edition spoke with Sheriff Jim Neil and his challenger in this year's primary, Charmaine McGuffey, about how COVID-19 has impacted law enforcement. Both candidates describe their priorities and challenges of overseeing the department during a global pandemic.
They will face off against each other in the Democratic primary for the office on April 28.
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