Campaigners threaten legal action unless prisoners are released during pandemic

Campaigners have threatened to take legal action against the Government unless vulnerable and elderly prisoners are immediately released to protect them from contracting coronavirus.
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The Prisoners' Advice Service warned such inmates are at high risk of dying or becoming seriously ill if they test positive for the virus, and has called on Justice Secretary Robert Buckland to take urgent action.

A total of 232 prisoners had tested positive for coronavirus in 60 jails as of 5pm on Wednesday, and 13 inmates had died.

HMP Doncaster is one of a number of prisons in Doncaster.HMP Doncaster is one of a number of prisons in Doncaster.
HMP Doncaster is one of a number of prisons in Doncaster.

As of April 3, there were 82,589 inmates behind bars.

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Three prison officers have also died and a total of 96 have contracted Covid-19 in 38 prisons, as well as seven prisoner escort and custody services staff.

Some 700 staff have been tested and 6,268 are self-isolating, according to the latest available figures.

PAS director Lubia Begum-Rob said: “If urgent action is not taken now we will see the instances of illness and death among prisoners and staff rising steeply and quickly.

“This must not be allowed to happen. We hope the Secretary of State will receive our request favourably and urgent action will be taken.

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“However, if necessary PAS reserves the right to take legal proceedings on behalf of our clients.”

The call follows a string of pleas from other charities and campaigners in recent weeks who have warned more prisoners will die if extra measures are not put in place.

The Ministry of Justice announced single-occupancy temporary prison cells will be built in the grounds of seven jails in a bid to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

So far, there are plans for up to 2,000 temporary cells which will be used by low-risk category C and D offenders.

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Self-isolating or symptomatic prisoners and those who have tested positive are put in a cell on their own, but those who have not displayed symptoms may still be sharing cells with other inmates.

The MoJ has also pledged to release up to 4,000 low-risk prisoners on temporary licence in a bid to ease overcrowding, as well as pregnant inmates and mothers behind bars with babies.