Since the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, persons living in prisons and places of detention have become more vulnerable than ever to the adverse consequences of imprisonment. As of May 2021, it is estimated that nearly 550,000 prisoners in 122 countries have become infected with COVID-19, with close to 4,000 fatalities in prisons in 47 countries.1 The rapid spread of the virus has threatened the health not only of prisoners and prison staff, but also of society at large and the impact of the pandemic in overcrowded prisons and among prisoners with existing health problems has been particularly severe. Prevention measures related to COVID-19 that are currently implemented in the community, such as hand hygiene and physical distancing, are often severely restricted or not possible in confined and overcrowded prison settings. (COV-002)
