Prison estate expanded to protect NHS from risk

Prisons are moving towards single-cell accommodation, as much as possible, to limit the spread of infection and the number of deaths.

Marking the start of work at six priority jails over the coming weeks and, combined with the recently announced early release of low-risk offenders, the Ministry of Justice announcement will increase space in prisons and help reduce the spread of coronavirus.

Following public health advice that prisons present a unique environment where rapid outbreaks of the virus could place a significant strain on local NHS services, the government has said that the first wave of 500 temporary cells are to be installed at prisons. While this temporary accommodation remains within the existing, secure, prison estate and will be monitored by staff, as normal, only lower-risk category C and D prisoners will be held in the temporary units, following careful risk assessment.

Installation of temporary accommodation will start this week at HMP North Sea Camp, with HMPs Littlehey, Hollesley Bay, Highpoint, Moorland, Lindholme and Humber to follow.

Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: “Our absolute priority is to protect the NHS and save lives, which is why we have taken unprecedented steps to stop the spread of coronavirus in our jails. Creating additional space in the existing estate, alongside measures to limit prisoner movement and releasing low-risk offenders, will help prevent our NHS being overwhelmed.”