Frequently asked questions about prevention and control
of COVID-19 in prisons and places of detention
Should people in prisons who show symptoms be isolated?
Any individual with symptoms must be put into medical isolation until there can be further evaluation
and, if necessary, testing. Initial isolation within prisons is important, but cases should be evaluated and
channelled to hospitals if severe.
What should be done if a sentence comes to an end during an individual’s quarantine
period?
Prison health authorities should ensure that the person discharged has a place to go where they can
maintain quarantine. Local authorities should be notified that the person has been discharged to ensure
follow-up.
What should be done when a person in prison who has tested positive (or is waiting for
test results) is transferred to a hospital (or other medical facility)?
The receiving facility should be notified of the person’s COVID-19 status (confirmed or suspect) so that it
is ready to provide proper isolation.
What are the main preventive measures that may be adopted in prisons?
Eight main measures are recommended:
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2.
3.
4.
screening and risk assessment should be set up for all individuals entering prison;
similar measures should be adopted when people are released from prison;
environmental cleaning and disinfection should take place at least once daily;
individual hygiene and hand washing should be promoted, including provision of the necessary
materials (for all people in prison, including staff) to make this possible;
5. education and communication on respiratory hygiene should be put in place;
6. prison overcrowding should be addressed;
7. an action plan, specifying who is responsible for delivering a particular action, the timescale for
delivery, and how and by whom delivery will be ensured, should be in place to deal with suspected
and confirmed cases;
8. all those involved should be informed about contingency planning.
Do prisons have enough protective equipment?
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is in short supply everywhere, and it is important that it is used
appropriately in all settings so that it can be prioritized where required. Governments should consider
giving appropriate priority to prisons and other detention settings, given the high vulnerability of this
population, and ensure availability and delivery of essential supplies.
Is the sole purpose of all these measures to prevent people in prison from becoming ill?
These measures are recommended to prevent COVID-19 from entering prisons, to limit the spread of
infection within prisons, and to reduce the possibility of spread from prisons to the outside community.
Prison health is part of public health, so failure to prevent COVID-19 from reaching prisons will adversely
affect all society.
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