This page contains links to Covid-19 in prisons news from various sources and is updated daily. Use the filters to view articles from different regions/topics or use the search box to look for articles based on key words. Please note that these articles are from external sources and may not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of ICPA.
What’s happening in your region? To share news updates please email Catalin Ungureanu catalinungureanu@icpa.org
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How South African prisons are managing Covid-19
September 16, 2020
The pandemic has amplified the problem of overcrowding in prisons and while the number of infections are said to be on the decline, inmates continue to fear for their lives.
More than 50 in overcrowded DRC prison starve
September 15, 2020
Fifty-two inmates at a prison in the northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) city of Bunia have starved to death this year because of insufficient government funding, the UN and local authorities said.
SA prisons report 93% recovery rate, with 299 active cases left out of 6 944 infections
September 14, 2020
The Department of Correctional Services has reported a 93% recovery rate, only with 299 active cases….
Butembo : 2 détenus atteints de Covid-19 à la prison de Kakwangura refusent le traitement “suite au manque de nourriture”
September 14, 2020
La prison centrale de Kakwangura en ville de Butembo a déjà été touchée par la pandémie de Coronavirus par au moins 7 cas.
Uganda: Ministry of Health and WHO Respond to a Spike of Covid-19 Infection in Amuru Prison
September 14, 2020
Amuru Prison is just like any other prisons facility in Uganda with prisoners going about their daily chores and routines under the watchful eyes of wardens. The situation has been like this for years, and it continues to be.
Moroto prison sealed off as 30 inmates test positive to Covid-19
September 11, 2020
Moroto government prison has been closed to new inmates after 30 inmates tested positive to Covid-19 on Thursday.
Kitgum taskforce to regulate movement of prison staff due to Covid-19
September 9, 2020
Kitgum district COVID-19 taskforce committee is seeking to regulate the movement of all prison officials in the community over increasing cases of COVID-19 in prison facilities.
Morocco Suspends All Family Visits to Prisons as COVID-19 Threat Grows
September 7, 2020
All prisons in Morocco will be closed to family visits until further notice, the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) announced on Monday alongside an increasing COVID-19 case count.
Zim Covid-19+ prisoners given ‘hot water’ as treatment, says Chin’ono
September 7, 2020
ZIMBABWE prisoners who test positive for Covid-19 are just given hot water as treatment for the dreaded ailment, journalist and former inmate Hopewell Chin’ono has said.
Prisoner with chronic illnesses loses bid to be released on ‘Covid-19 parole’
September 3, 2020
A man sentenced to 25 years in jail for money laundering has failed in his bid to be released on parole as part of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s proclamation to release offenders to ease overcrowding in prisons during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Kgosi Mampuru prison allegedly flouting Covid-19 rules
September 3, 2020
Covid-19 life-saving regulations are allegedly being flouted at Tshwane’s Kgosi Mampuru prison following a directive to stop the self-isolation of officials that come into contact with positive cases.
Staggering’ Number of Women in Sierra Leone’s Overcrowded Prisons Yet to Be Convicted
September 3, 2020
A new report reveals that 62 percent of women being held are pre-trial detainees, and details how inmates are sharing beds and authorities are ignoring advice from the World Health Organisation.
Madagascar’s justice ministry blames deadly prison breakout on coronavirus/
August 28, 2020
Madagascar’s justice ministry on Thursday blamed coronavirus for a prison break that ended with police shooting more than 20 inmates last weekend.
COVID-19: Several Moroccan Prisons Suspend Family Visits
August 27, 2020
Amid Morocco’s surge in COVID-19 cases, the General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration (DGAPR) announced today its decision to postpone family visits in certain Moroccan prisons.
Chikurubi Maximum Prisoner Dies From COVID-19
August 27, 2020
An inmate at Chikurubi Maximum Prison by the name, Albert Mugabe died of the coronavirus at the institution on Tuesday.
NEWS: COVID-19 STATE OF EMERGENCY INQUIRY BOARD RECOMMENDS RELEASING PRISONERS WHO QUALIFY FOR PARDON, PROBATION TO REDUCE VIRUS SPREAD
August 27, 2020
Ethiopia’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Inquiry Board has recommended the release of prisoners who meet pardon and probation requirements in order to reduce the spread of the epidemic within detention centers, state run ENA reported.
Panic as 27 Embu prisoners test Covid-19 positive
August 27, 2020
Anxiety has gripped Embu county after GK Prison recorded 27 coronavirus-positive cases, raising the county’s confirmed caseload to 51.
Bulawayo prisons write major success story. . . record 100 percent Covid-19 recoveries, eliminate new infections
August 26, 2020
Prisons in Bulawayo, once the epicentre of Covid-19 infections in the province when 43 inmates and 23 prison officers tested positive, have scripted a major success story after recording 100 percent recoveries and eliminating new infections.
Fears monthly prison visits could increase likelihood of inmates getting Covid-19
August 25, 2020
Cape Town – The Correctional Services Department said it was reviewing its risk-adjusted strategy and has announced that visits during lockdown level 2 were being considered under certain conditions.
Magistrate orders for the immidiate sanitisation of Chikurubi Maximum Prison Cells
August 25, 2020
Magistrate Ncube has ordered for the immediate sanitisation of Prison cells at Maximum Chikurubi today. Ncube responded to MDC Alliance National Deputy Chairperson Job Sikhala’s order that the cells should be fumigated.
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