COVID-19 - Operational Impacts

Mesa County Sheriff's Office want to assure our community the Mesa County Sheriff's Office will remain open and operational to the fullest and safest extent possible during this unprecedented pandemic.

• As a precaution to help stop the spread and prevent unnecessary possible exposure to COVID-19, the Mesa County Sheriff's Office has implemented enhanced safety measures.
• In March 2020, Sheriff Lewis enacted emergency operating plans for the Mesa County Detention Facility (MCDF) to minimize the risk of exposure to inmates and employees:
  • Modifying daily operations
  • Initiated rigorous screening
  • Prevention measures
• Sheriff Rowell has continued the following prevention and safety measures per public health recommendations.

The on-site medical provider, NaphCare, is:

• Closely monitoring the health of all inmates.
• Providing care for individual symptoms.
• Affected inmates are quarantined.
• Any inmates that may have been exposed are medically isolated from the rest of the facility per public health recommendations.
• Each of the six housing units in the Mesa County Detention Facility is physically separated from each other.
• Additional measures have been put into place to limit movement in the facility and minimize the further spread of illness.
• Infected staff self-quarantine and are not on duty.
• Employees with a possible exposure self-quarantine per public health recommendations.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office continues to work closely with Mesa County Public Health and our medical provider to reduce the spread of this illness.

Mesa County Sheriff's Office has implemented the following changes:

• All inmates are screened by on-site medical personnel and tested for COVID-19 (once consent is given) before entering the detention facility as part of the normal booking process. 
• 24/7 on-site medical staff continuously monitor inmates and staff's health. 
• Anyone with symptoms,
  • tests positive for COVID-19, or
  • is believed to have been exposed is medically isolated
  • until they can be evaluated further by medical staff per Mesa County Public Health procedures. 
• Inmates are issued
  • Masks
  • Have access to additional cleaning products for
    • Disinfecting common areas.
    • Disinfecting personal living spaces as needed.
• The facility is also cleaned regularly to help with prevention.  
• All Mesa County Detention Facility staff are required to
  • Wear masks.
  • Wash hands frequently.
  • Practice social distancing when possible.
• Access to the detention facility remains limited.

The Mesa County Sheriff's Office encourages people to stay in contact with their loved ones in the detention facility.  

If you would like to view information on Inmate Services, visit our

• Inmate Information page
• Inmate Visitation page

Family members and friends may utilize

• Virtual video visitations - Visit Video Visitation page on IC Solutions website to schedule a visit
• Phone - Visit Keeping People Connected through Technology page on the IC Solutions website
• Email - Visit 3 Easy Steps to Talk page on the Getting Out website.
• Mail Services - Visit 3 Easy Steps to Talk page on the Getting Out website

The Detention Lobby will remain open to facilitate the release of inmates and attorney-client video visits.  

The public is encouraged to use online services for inmate fund deposits. Visit our Inmate Information page for more information.

• Commissary - Visit the Access Corrections website or call  1-866-345-1884
• Phone - Visit the Inmate Calling Solutions (ICS) website or call 1-888-506-8407
• Tablet and Email - Visit 3 Easy Steps to Talk page on the Getting Out website or call  1-866-516-0115

Do inmates have access to medical services?

• Mesa County Detention Facility has medical staff on-site 24/7.  
• Both medical staff and the Sheriff's Office are coordinating with Mesa County Public Health on COVID-19.

How is MCDF screening for COVID-19?

• Before entering the Mesa County Detention Facility, all inmates are screened by on-site medical staff as part of the booking process.
• This is a normal procedure.
• Everyone is also given a COVID-19 test (once consent is given).
• If anyone has
  • Symptoms.
  • Tests positive.
  • Believed to have been exposed.
• They will be isolated from the general population until they can be evaluated further by medical staff per Mesa County Public Health procedures. 

Do inmates have access to soap and cleaning supplies?

• Inmates do have access to soap and water for handwashing.  
• Inmates and all staff members also have access to cleaning products to
  • Disinfect common areas as needed.
  • Inmates who want / need to clean their personal living spaces.
• The facility is also cleaned regularly to help with prevention.   

Do inmates have access to masks?

• All inmates in the Mesa County Detention Facility are issued two cloth masks that are laundered regularly in accordance with Mesa County Public Health recommendations.
• Wearing a cloth mask is voluntary for inmates who are not experiencing symptoms or have not been exposed to COVID-19.  
• Any inmate experiencing symptoms or has been exposed to COVID-19 is
  • Immediately medically isolated from the general population.
  • Until they can be evaluated further by medical staff per Mesa County Public Health procedures to include getting tested for COVID-19.

How can I stay in contact with an inmate in MCDF?

We want to remind the public you can stay in contact with inmates in a number of ways:

• Mail
• Phone
• Email
• Virtual Video Visitation

More information on how to sign up for any of these services can be found on our Inmate Information page.

When will COVID-19 vaccines be available to inmates?

• As of April 2021, the Mesa County Detention Facility is offering COVID-19 vaccines to inmates who wish to receive them.
• Inmates who are considered the highest risk by public health will be offered the vaccine first.
• Each inmate will have the opportunity to accept or decline the vaccine based upon vaccine availability.

On-site medical staff will continue to closely monitor the health of all inmates and provide care for individual symptoms as needed.

Records / Civil Lobby Open

• The Mesa County Sheriff's Office Records and Civil Lobby is open with normal operations.
• Hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Monday-Friday
• Excluding holidays

If you are are experiencing any of the following, please schedule your visit for a later date:

• Sick
• Experiencing symptoms such as
  • Fever
  • Cough
  • Shortness of breath
• Have been exposed to COVID-19

Records and Civil staff are also available by phone 970-244-3500 during normal business hours.

For your cooperation while we work together to prevent unnecessary possible exposure to COVID-19 or any other illnesses.