HeraldReviewMedia's video: The Daily Chirp: The Impact of Covid-19 Restrictions On Cochise County Jail

Good morning, it’s Monday December 28th and this is The Herald Review’s Daily Chirp podcast. We’re bringing you a closer look at one of our top stories, along with other important things going on in our community. Today we’re taking a closer look at how Covid-19 restrictions have impacted the Cochise County jail. But first, a quick message from our sponsor Before we begin, some local history. At one time many of the staircases found in Bisbee were dirt paths - traversed by mules to carry supplies to homes on the dramatic inclines. Over time the dirt paths were replaced with wooden stairs, and then those were eventually replaced with concrete stairs. Today’s history was brought to you by Benson Hospital. They’re doing more than treating illnesses in Benson, they're building a healthier community. Benson Hospital donated rescue inhalers to Cochise County Schools to help keep kids healthy and out of the ER. To learn more, visit their website at bensonhospital.org. Now, our feature story.  He has since described this year as one of the worst since he’s been sheriff, and that it’s not letting up - everyday it gets a little worse. Sheriff Dannels recently said that the conditions at Cochise County Jail have become more dire and stressful than ever before. This is as a result of the precautions that officials have taken because of COVID-19. According to him, the pandemic and all the worries and precautions it brings with it has made getting arrested even more stressful. As a result, suicide attempts at the jail have increased over the last six months.  Sheriff’s spokeswoman Carol Capas said that the isolation in quarantine is contributing to “mental anguish.” And the sheriff also described Cochise County jail as high risk - being the oldest functioning jail in the state. It has an aging interior and ongoing repairs. Interestingly the increase in suicide attempts is not an issue at the neighboring detention centers in Pinal, Pima and Santa Cruz counties. But it’s important to note that all three of those jails are more modern than Cochise County’s. While statistics of how many more suicide attempts there have been at the Cochise County Jail over the last six months were not available for this article, sheriff Dannels said there were four attempts in a two-week period just recently, which is not common.  The most recent attempt occurred in the quarantine section and involved an inmate who had been there for just two days. Luckily a corrections officer spotted the inmate just in time. When the virus surfaced in the spring, Dannels had asked other law enforcement agencies in the county to use their discretion when arresting people so the jail population at the Bisbee facility could be kept safer and at a manageable count. For the most part, police are not arresting people who do not present a danger to the community. While there is a jail in Sierra Vista — it’s right next to Canyon Vista Medical Center — the facility is closed and is used only for backup if the main jail in Bisbee becomes too crowded Visit Nabur.myheraldreview.com  We’d also like to take a moment to shine a light on an officer from the Sierra Vista Police Department - brought to you by ApexNetwork Physical Therapy. Providing physical therapy to the community, ApexNetwork offers a wide range of services including Manual Therapy, Industrial Rehab, Dry Needling, Golf Rehab and more. To learn more, go to ApexNetworkPT.com. Paris has had an exemplary career history and loves her job. She enjoys going out and knowing she could save someone’s life, or just talk to someone to make them feel better about whatever is going on in their life.  She’s been on the force for five years now, and says that being a part of the Sierra Vista Police Department has been a great fit - for her and her family. Finally - an upcoming event in the community that we’re excited about… Are you still looking for a safe way to ring in the new year? Join us and emcee Jeff Davenport virtually as we watch local talent from Cochise County during The Great Cochise Talent Quest. It’ll start at 7pm on the 31st. Tickets are $15 and proceeds will go to the Sierra Vista Rotary. Get yours today at myheraldreview.com Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Tuesday! For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com.  Thanks for tuning in to the Herald Review podcast today, join us again on Tuesday! And remember, the Herald Review is here for you with local news you can trust. For more information on any of the stories you heard about today, visit us at myheraldreview.com. Right now you can become a member starting at just $1.99 per week.