A view of the entrance of the Kosciusko County Jail. InkFreeNews photo by Dan Spalding.

WARSAW – Kosciusko and Fulton counties have ceased face-to-face visits with inmates at their jails over the coronavirus pandemic.

Kosciusko County Jail is suspending face-to-face visitations with inmates, but video visitation is available and encouraged, according to Kosciusko County Sheriff Kyle Dukes in a statement issued late Friday afternoon, March 13.

The change in policy extends to contact between inmates and law enforcement personnel, chaplains, programs or any person not assigned to the jail.

The no-contact order with inmates also includes interactions with attorneys and police.

Dukes said the order will be reevaluated on April 6.

Fulton County Sheriff Christopher Sailors said this decision to suspend visitation of inmates was not taken lightly and is based upon the recommendations Fulton County Health Department, the  County Health Officer and Gov. Eric Holcomb.

This suspension will be monitored and reevaluated weekly. With this suspension, we are also limiting non-essential visits of outside vendors to our jail facility and offices and suspending other non-essential activities, Sailors said.

Fulton County Jail will still maintain phone visitation as normal.

“We ask for your cooperation at this time and this decision is made in mind of protecting all persons until this situation has passed,” Sailors said.