By Ray King

Jefferson County Sheriff Lafayette Woods Jr., said that while the State Supreme Court has halted trials because of the COVID-19 pandemic, at some point they will resume, and he wants to be ready when that happens.

Woods said there have been limits on the number of people who have been booked into the jail, with violent offenders and people accused of domestic battery being booked in, while those with lesser charges being given court dates and released.

That is changing as deputies are serving a number of warrants that have been issued as a result of formal charges being filed.

He also talked about jail security, saying that while he was not involved in the initial planning and design of the adult jail, officials have found some things that could have been done differently.

Increased security measures include upgrading the camera system, an intrusion detection system on the roof and additional fencing.