The Health Ministry To Tour Correctional Facilities

The Ministry of Health says it will be touring Correctional Facilities, to assess the effectiveness of the measures implemented to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus.

There has been an increase in infections with at least one prison recently reporting two inmates testing positive for the virus. But Human Rights Activists are urging the government to consider releasing low risk inmates as a possible solution to help mitigate the spread and overcrowding. After almost five months, COVID-19 has begun to strike in the Penal System.

According to the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as of October 6, COVID-19 cases have been detected at the Horizon Adult Remand Centre, St. Catherine Adult Correctional Centre, Tamarind Farm Adult Correctional Centre and the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre. 

There have been positive COVID-19 cases at the DCS offices across the island. Health Minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton says an assessment of the measures will be done. 

Health experts warn that prisons are one of the worst places to have an outbreak. The facilities are overcrowded, unsanitary and unprepared to deal with any disease.

The World Health Organization, United Nations have called on heads of government to release low risk inmates to prevent a catastrophic spread  of COVID-19 in the prison population .

Human Rights Activist Lloyd Daguilar says some inmates behind bars have been lost in the system. Mr. Dauguilar says the rights of the prisoners should be respected, continued access to health services should be available  and their safety and dignity must be protected. 

According to the DCS dashboard, 250 inmates have been tested so far and of the 23 positive cases, 6 have recovered.

CVM LIVE‘s Jamaila Maitland reports: