Monterey County jail inmates make face masks

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) The Monterey County Jail is joining the ranks of other jails and prisons, to combat the spread of Covid-19.

The inmates are making masks to help overcome the shortage. 

Jim Bass with the Monterey County Sheriff's Office says, “They cut out a bunch of templates then they fold them up to create the little creases… then put the stitches in.”

And they work fast. They’ve been putting out 75 to 150 a day. The problem is, they’ve only got three sewing machines, and only a handful of inmates who know how to use them, so there is a limit to their production. 

The first goal of the operation is to make masks for the nearly 700 inmates in the jail. They’ll give them out on Mondays and Thursdays, freshly washed. Bass says, “Our number one priority, and our job here running a jail, or corrections institution. Is to make sure the safety and security of those under our care.” 

Once they have enough for the jail, they want to start donating them to other jails, prisons, nursing homes, and even the homeless community.