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ICSO says it will not be changing COVID regulations

ICSO JAIL

Some pandemic procedures to continue

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - The Imperial County Sheriff's office says while the county is partially opening up, the jail will not open up for the public.

When Governor Gavin Newsom issued his stay-at-home order in March, inmate visitations came to an end. Now some counties and cities are easing their restrictions, including Imperial County.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Robert Benavides said some visitation will resume sometime after Memorial Day, but he doesn't know when the schedule will return to "normal."

“We have not gotten to a point where we are ready to start discussing an open date for the public to be a part of a normal business or what we thought was normal prior to COVID.,” said Benevides.

Benevides also said the current jail population of 240 inmates is the lowest its ever been.

“Our numbers in the jail are currently the lowest they’ve ever been. As a result of less intake, fewer bookings, the release of a number of our inmates.”

The deputy also told us the jail continues to hold court hearings via zoom for inmates who face felony charges.

"The courts here have implemented a video system so formal charges are still held in timely a manner is still being adhered too there are actually two jail rooms that are being functioned just as courtrooms that are utilizing zoom with the public defenders, da’s office and judges they all have access to it and everyone is still apart of that court process.”

The Imperial County Sheriff's office says it's postponing hearings for inmates facing misdemeanors.

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Gianella Ghiglino

Peruvian-born and LA raised Gianella Ghiglino joins the team from the San Fernando valley. “LA is the place that taught me how to breath and Peru is my breath.” She says she was inspired by the community she grew up in and began documenting her experience through poetry at the age of 7. “I wrote about everything I saw, felt and everything that inspired me.” When she entered High School she joined her school news station and realized that broadcast journalism allowed her to pursue her passion and her purpose all at once. Gianella attended Cal State Northridge and received a Bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Spanish Broadcast Journalism, and Political Science. She did several internships while in College but most notably interned for PBS’s local LA station for three years. “My purpose is to share my story and of those in my community, my passion is writing.”

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