March 26, 2020
Remands too risky as virus spreads
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Prison reform group JustSpeak wants a review of remand procedures to prevent for as long as possible the spread of COVID-19 into prisons.
Spokesperson Tania Sawicki-Mead says the Government needs to do everything in its power to keep everyone in the prison system safe – inmates and staff alike.
Its essential people with the coronavirus aren’t introduced to the prison population.
"And I think it’s really important that the Government issues a directive to say issues of public health and public safety need to be at the top of the agenda when it comes to who is held on remand because people entering into those remand buildings at this time pose a huge risk to people who are currently inside," she says.
Tania Sawicki-Mead says alternatives like keeping elderly or medically vulnerable prisoners confined in hotels outside the prison system should be considered.
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