The population of Hays County Jail fell by almost a third last week as district courts, adult supervision and law enforcement collaborated in an inmate release initiative to protect as many people as possible from infection with the COVID-19 virus.

According to Michael Hartman, CSCD director for Hays, Comal and Caldwell counties, “85 to
90” inmates were released as of March 27. Although the jail’s capacity is 362, the Commission on Jail Standards recommends 10 percent be held emp...