Inmates and jail staff began getting flu shots Friday afternoon at the jail.

BANGOR (AP) – A flu outbreak at the Penobscot County Jail meant that 20 people who were scheduled to begin their sentences Friday got a long weekend of freedom.

Under a stay order signed by a Superior Court judge on Christmas Day, the 20 prospective inmates are expected to report to the jail Tuesday, Sheriff Glenn Ross said.

The flu outbreak also prompted cancellation of visiting hours at the jail, including on Christmas Day.

Jail officials notified local police departments on Wednesday that the jail would admit only arrestees considered a risk to society or who were arrested on outstanding warrants for something other than a bail violation.

All others are to be summoned and bailed from local police stations.

Ross said Friday the outbreak appeared to be easing and that visits would resume within a few days.

The safety precautions were announced late Christmas Eve in a joint press release issued by the jail and the Maine Bureau of Health after an inmate who died Tuesday was determined to have bacterial pneumonia, a possible complication of influenza.

Inmates and jail staff began getting flu shots Friday afternoon at the jail.

In addition, all inmates underwent medical screenings for flu and flulike symptoms, said Ross.

Jason Shank, 22, died at St. Joseph Hospital in Bangor less than 24 hours after being taken there for treatment of a respiratory illness. He was serving a 364-day sentence for assault, theft and probation violation.

Ross said the cold and flu season hit the jail hard early this week. On Monday, 18 inmates had cold and-or flulike symptoms. By Tuesday, that number had risen to 54 of the 138 inmates being held at the jail.

“Most are general cold symptoms, but a few have flu-like symptoms,” said the sheriff. “A couple have been taken to St. Joseph Hospital to be evaluated, but have been returned to the jail without needing to be admitted.”