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
Page 1 of 2
Days After Commissioner Says Prison Has No Cases, Minister Says Officers Have Covid-19
September 25, 2020
WHILE the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases among correctional officers is “very low,” National Security Marvin Dames said it is natural for officers to have fears about safety in the workplace.
Tower Street prisoners ‘shaken up’ after COVID cases confirmed
September 24, 2020
A prisoner at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston says now that the authorities have confirmed that there are COVID-19 cases at that facility, fear stalks the aisles of the institution.
No COVID death in prison says acting commissioner
September 24, 2020
Acting Prisons Commissioner Dennis Pulchan Wednesday denied reports that there had been at least one death from the coronavirus (COVID-19) within the prisons while confirming that several Venezuelan nationals have gone on a hunger strike in a bid to get their matters fast-tracked before the courts
Two COVID-19 cases at Tower Street prison
September 22, 2020
Two cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed at the Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in Kingston.
139 foreign prisoners demand talks with Embassy officials
September 22, 2020
Over 139 foreigners, who are currently remanded in T&T’s prisons and are participating in the current hunger strike, are now pleading with the relevant authorities to allow them to speak with officials from their respective Embassies.
231 prison officers in COVID quarantine, recruits fill void
August 27, 2020
Prisons Commissioner Dennis Pulchan has revealed that they are now facing a major challenge as some 28 prison officers have tested positive for COVID-19, forcing the administration to place another 231 officers in quarantine
Two prisoners, several prison officers test positive for COVID-19
August 24, 2020
Prisons Comnmissioner (Ag) Dennis Pulchan says a Covid Command Centre has been established at Golden Grove to gather and process all information required to aid in decision making, in an effort to effectively manage the containment of COVID-19 within the walls of the nation’s prisons.
Inmates Are Released As COVID-19 Spreads Inside Hawaii’s Largest Jail
August 20, 2020
Even as inmates are winning early release from the Oahu Community Correctional Center under special orders by the Hawaii Supreme Court, an estimated 20 new prisoners per day are being admitted to the overcrowded jail, which is now the scene of the largest COVID-19 infection cluster in the state.
Lawyers concerned about inmate health, safety after prison workers test positive
August 18, 2020
Attorneys-at-law Sjamira Roseburg and Shaira Bommel on Monday expressed concern about the health and safety of inmates at the Pointe Blanche prison after reports that a social worker and at least one prison guard have tested positive for COVID-19.
Supreme Court orders OCCC jail inmate release due to COVID-19
August 16, 2020
Some Hawaii prisoners and jail inmates will be released early due to COVID-19 risks, starting Wednesday.
Third prison officer has covid19, 77 in quarantine
August 13, 2020
A THIRD prison officer has tested positive for covid19. Head of the medical department of the prison service Deputy Commissioner Lopes told Newsday yesterday the woman was confirmed as covid19-positive on Wednesday night, and was quarantined. She is expected to be collected by a medical team who will take her to the Caura Hospital, where she will be treated.
Hawaii Corrections Workers Fear Infection As COVID-19 Outbreak Grows
August 11, 2020
With six inmates and three staff already testing positive, OCCC staff worry the prison system is unprepared to control the virus.
Prison officers quarantined in Tobago after contact with COVID-19 case
August 9, 2020
At least three prison officers in Tobago are self-quarantining for the next two weeks. This comes after the officer was made aware that a woman, he was close with, was in close contact with another individual, from Trinidad who had tested positive for COVID-19.
Prison population records a decrease over last four months
August 7, 2020
Over a four-month period the prison population has decreased from 486 inmates to 410, with most of the prisoners being repeat offenders.
Prison officer tests positive for Covid
August 1, 2020
An employee of the Trinidad and Tobago Prison Service is one of the four persons tested positive for Covid-19 coronavirus on Saturday.
Ban on prison visits remains for now
July 11, 2020
There is no word yet on when a ban on visits to inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds, intended to secure the prison population from the coronavirus, will end, Minister of Home Affairs Edmund Hinkson has told journalists.
Haïti – Justice : Critères de libération pour désengorger les prisons en Haïti
June 25, 2020
En début de semaine, le Premier Ministre, Joseph Jouthe, a présidé une réunion virtuelle avec des représentants d’organisations de défense des droits humains autour des critères pour que les détenus bénéficient des mesures exceptionnelles de mise en liberté, afin de désengorger les prisons du pays, et lutter contre le phénomène de détention préventive prolongée face à l’évolution du Covid-19
Haiti’s president pardons more than 400 prisoners
June 23, 2020
President Jovenel Moise has pardoned 415 prisoners in a bid to reduce overcrowding at prisons across the country as a senior United Nations official said that the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country had experienced an overall increase in gang-related and criminal activity during the first six months of the year.
Haiti’s president pardons more than 400 prisoners
June 23, 2020
President Jovenel Moise has pardoned 415 prisoners in a bid to reduce overcrowding at prisons across the country as a senior United Nations official said that the French-speaking Caribbean Community (Caricom) country had experienced an overall increase in gang-related and criminal activity during the first six months of the year.
Prison chief assures meals meet health standards
June 12, 2020
Nearly half dozen inmates at Her Majesty’s Prison at Dodds, St Philip who went on a hunger strike last week are eating again, prison boss John Nurse has revealed.
ICPA is a non-governmental organisation in Special Consultative Status