Times Observer file photo The Warren County Jail will resume normal operations following a COVID-19 outbreak at the facility.

Repairs on the roof of the prison yard along with the addition of deterrents and safety measures are some of the improvements being sought at the Warren County Jail in the wake of an escape by high-profile inmate Michael Burham.

On Tuesday night, The Warren County Board of Commissioners, in conjunction with the Prison Board, issued a statement related to the next steps in addressing jail security, supporting Warren County’s Correction Officers, and a review of jail policies and procedures. Officials noted multiple law enforcement agencies are conducting criminal investigations related to the escape, which has slowed the ability to provide information or react to policy and facility concerns.

The Commissioners and Prison Board’s goal is to support all investigations into the escape and see that they come to a complete conclusion. As the criminal investigation concludes, the Prison Board and Commissioners’ immediate focus is their responsibility to the County Jail, its staff, the inmates in their care, and the community’s safety. The City of Warren Police are conducting a criminal investigation into the escape but neither they, nor City Administration have any management responsibility to the Warren County Jail.

In the aftermath of the escape on Thursday, the Prison Board and Commissioners have met and reviewed all available information not directly involved with any criminal investigation. That review has led to the order of repairs on the roof of the prison yard, which is a 40- by 40-foot room with a cage on the top floor of the jail facility. The Commissioners and Prison Board have also ordered the space be augmented with deterrents and safety measures and that the exercise equipment be removed and replaced with equipment that does not provide access to higher positions in the facility.

The Commissioners expect the immediate structural fixes to be completed before the end of the week. Several longer-term upgrades will begin immediately and be completed in the next few weeks.

All policies and procedures related to inmate access and observation are being reviewed, and changes will be made to increase security in that space. It’s important to understand that the law has changed in the past five years, and prisoners must have access to yard time and outside exercise. With a facility as small as ours that is close to full, inmates must be taken to the yard in shifts. That happens all day and evening to ensure all inmates have appropriate yard time. Therefore, inmates are legally required to access the yard, and it is crucial for the Prison Board to ensure the facility is secure.

The Prison Board and Commissions will have an ongoing review of the policies, staff, and structures in the prison and intend to continue releasing information on future changes and improvements.

Commissioners plan to make a further statement on Wednesday afternoon.