2 Lusignan prisoners test positive for COVID-19

The Lusignan Prison compound

Two prisoners of the Lusignan penitentiary on the East Coast of Demerara (ECD) have tested positive for COVID-19, and authorities are still trying to trace where they contracted the life-threatening virus.
Director of Prisons, Gladwin Samuels informed in a press release on Tuesday that the two inmates were being held at the Holding Bay. They were tested earlier and the results returned on Tuesday with positive results. Contact tracing has since commenced to curtail a large spread in the prison population.
“The circumstances under which the two prisoners contracted the virus are presently unknown, and contact tracing has begun. All steps are being taken to segregate persons with whom they came into contact. Resources are being gathered to prevent further spread,” Samuels informed.
All persons who are exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19 will be examined and exposed to the Standard Operational Procedures outlined by the Health Ministry, the Prison Services noted.
“Systems are also being put in place to monitor the rest of the prison population and to monitor Prison Officers and staff. Further, the steps taken over the months to prevent coronavirus from the prison will be revisited and expanded where necessary. The Guyana Prison Service wishes to reassure all prisoners and Prison Officers that this matter is being viewed very seriously and that all mitigation strategies are in place for their protection,” the release further stated.
All admissions are now isolated for 14 days and will be subjected to medical checks before being placed with the general population.
Back in July, a widespread fire at the penitentiary had resulted in the destruction of the entire cell blocks after inmates started rioting for seized contraband to be returned. A total of 286 prisoners were displaced; of which 156 are placed at the Holding Bay. The bay, at that time, housed a total of 581 convicted inmates. Efforts were taken to transfer 27 of them to the Camp Street penitentiary, 51 to Timehri Prison and another 50 to the Mazaruni Prison.
After the fire, Samuels had noted that overcrowding posed an even more severe challenge, taking into account the COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. He had noted that the area where the prisoners are kept is overcrowded, despite the transfers.
Last month, new Home Affairs Minister Robeson Benn visited the facility where he also stressed the importance of social distancing as one of the main measures to battle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Deemed as a pressing issue, several facilities will be constructed so that social distancing can be practiced and more so, better supervision and management of the prisoners can be ensured.
The Prison Directorate and engineers were also tasked with detailing the development plans for the Lusignan Prison. (G12)