(a) What measures have been put in place at each of the correctional facilities administered by his department to:
(i) isolate detainees showing symptoms of being infected with the coronavirus,
On 14 March 2020, Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Preparedness, Detection and Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) of the Department of Correctional Services were approved and circulated to all regions for implementation. Since the lockdown, 10 035 Remand Detainees (RDs) have been admitted to Correctional Centres nationally. All RDs are screened for COVID-19 symptoms and those showing symptoms of being infected with the Coronavirus are quarantined from the other detainees for 14 days and monitored on a daily basis. A swab is collected for testing by the NICD; monitored on a daily basis in isolation area whilst awaiting the results.
(ii) isolate detainees who have tested positive for infection with the coronavirus, Detainees who test positive for COVID-19 are categorised by the health care professional as mild, moderate and severe according to the COVID-19 categories. However, the following procedures are implemented:
(iii) Identify and isolate contacts of detainees or staff members who tested positive for the coronavirus,
Regarding the officials the following processes are followed:
(iv) assist members of the prison population to practice regular hand-washing and other hygiene practices recommended by the World Health Organisation
The Department is dealing with this pandemic by implementing a disaster management plan that is embedded in national government’s adopted approach of ‘prevention, containment/treatment and disaster recovery’. The Department’s Disaster Management Response Plan is designed to prevent, contain, disrupt and mitigate COVID-19 from spreading in the department’s facilities and administrative offices.
Health care professionals disseminate hand hygiene and infection control information through awareness sessions and conduct hand washing campaigns. Each inmate is provided with soap for hand washing purposes; installation of secured hand washing soap and sanitizers is done in most centres. Educational posters on hand wash are placed on all notice boards in all Correctional Facilities.
Security equipment including vehicles are being sanitised and cleaned with the necessary detergents daily before and after utilisation by Correctional Centres and Community Corrections. Scrub down of facilities continues on a daily basis to ensure that areas are scrubbed down at least once a week. Officials have been assigned to sanitise hands of officials, inmates and visitors at all entry points and exit points in Correctional Facilities. Cleaning and enforcement of sanitisation are maintained at the Correctional Centres and Community Corrections especially at the reception, admission areas and living cells.
(v) encourage social distancing
Social distancing is encouraged in all Correctional Facilities and work places by introducing below mentioned measures as a form of promoting social distancing:
Social distancing for offenders in their cells is a challenge given the limited floor space for each offender in a cell and is further exacerbated by overcrowding ,hence offenders are encouraged to implement good hand hygiene practices.
(vi) test for infection
Naso-pharyngeal or Oro-pharyngeal swabs are collected by health professionals and sent to laboratory.
(b) in each case (i) what are the full relevant details and
In each case the Naso-pharyngeal or Oro-pharyngeal swabs are collected by health professionals and sent to laboratory and the results will determine further management of the detainee per stipulations.
(ii) from what date were the specified measures implemented;
Approved 2020 DCS Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for Preparedness, Detection and Response to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) of the Department of Correctional Services.
(2) what number of (a) employees at the Department of Correctional Services and (b) detainees under the supervision of his department have been tested for the coronavirus to date?
(a) As at 26 April 2020, there are 536 officials who have been refereed to health care services for testing. It is important to highlight that most employees possess medical aids which they utilize for coronavirus testing. (b) To date there are 2 611 inmates that have been tested for coronavirus under the supervision of the Department of Correctional Services.
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