This week is celebrated in the Japanese city of Kyoto on XIV UN Congress on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice to discuss the impact of COVID-19 in prison settings
Philipp Meissner, an expert on prison reform at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) spoke with UN News before the event.
How does COVID-19 affect inmates?
UNODC
Philipp Meissner, Prison Reform Expert at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
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Prison systems and the more than 11 million prisoners in the world have been disproportionately hit by the pandemic. It is estimated that there are more than 527,000 prisoners who have been infected in 122 countries and that more than 3,800 have died in 47 of those nations.
With limited testing capacity in many jurisdictions and the rapidly evolving situation, the actual number may be much higher. It should also be recognized that because of their close and regular interaction with inmates, prison officials, health professionals and others who work in prisons, they also face an increased risk of infection. Prisons are undoubtedly high-risk COVID-19 settings for those who live and work there.
Where do prisoners suffer the most?
In most countries on all continents. Even relatively well-resourced penal systems face serious challenges in mitigating the impact of the pandemic on prisons. The consequences are particularly dire in overburdened prison systems for reasons that include systemic neglect, lack of staff and other resources. That has led to poor or insufficient prison conditions in sanitation, hygiene and health services.
Prison overcrowding, which continues to affect most countries, exponentially increases the challenges posed by COVID-19 and the actual feasibility of introducing meaningful infection prevention and control measures.
What difficulties do national authorities face in combating the pandemic in prison settings?
Even before the pandemic, many prison systems struggled to meet the basic needs of prisoners and ensure health in prisons. Many prisons do not have enough space, food and drinking water, access to decent sanitary supplies and facilities, and adequate ventilation in accommodation and work areas. Additionally, accessing personal protective equipment, infrared thermometers, or specific COVID-19 testing capabilities is challenging.
Unsplash/R.D. Smith
Prisoners in poorly equipped prisons can take many risks (file photo).
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These factors are more serious given the typically weaker health profile of the prison population, which often has a higher incidence of communicable and non-communicable diseases.
In many countries, the principle of equity of care is not guaranteed, which should provide prisoners with access to free health services of a similar level to those offered in the community. It is also essential that international standards are observed, in particular the United Nations Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, also known as the Nelson Mandela Rules.
The atmosphere in prisons has become tense in many countries and has been exacerbated by anxiety, fear and uncertainty among prisoners and officials in those centers. Prison riots and other security incidents in nearly 50 countries have demonstrated the importance of providing transparent information on COVID-19 and, where possible, involving prisoners.
Measures taken in many countries have tightened prison regimes. For example, visits have been suspended and access to rehabilitation programs and other constructive activities outside the accommodation areas is severely restricted, if any.
Not being able to see families and children for long periods of time has a serious impact on the mental health and well-being of prisoners and exacerbates the suffering inherent in an incarceration situation.
Are national authorities paying enough attention to the plight of prisoners during the pandemic?
Prison management and services are a weak link in criminal justice systems in many countries. Prisoners constitute a segment of society that is easily forgotten by both policy makers and the general public.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, UNODC has voiced its views on the need to integrate prisons, prisoners and prison staff into the overall public health response of countries against COVID-19. While many jurisdictions are heeding these calls and have made commendable efforts, more needs to be done to address the complex situation of inmates and mitigate the risk of COVID-19 in prisons. These centers should be included in vaccination programs, for example.
UNODC
Personal protective supplies in a Zambian prison
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What solutions are being found to stop the spread of the virus in prisons?
One of the key problems is overcrowding, which is why many countries have issued conditional sentences for minor crimes and have ordered the emergency release of prisoners at risk or close to serving their sentences.
It is estimated that more than 700,000 prisoners have been released worldwide during the pandemic.
How can the UN support the improvement of prevention measures in prisons globally?
The United Nations advocates comprehensive prison reform, as well as a re-evaluation of the system with the aim of addressing excessive incarceration and overcrowding in prisons.
The UN agency has engaged with national prison and correctional services in more than 50 countries to help improve infection prevention and control measures, ensure continued compliance with minimum prison standards, and promote greater use of alternatives. to incarceration.
Some support actions of the Office on Drugs and Crime:
- In Uganda, 16 water tanks, 40 hospital beds, soap, several thousand mattresses and blankets were purchased to improve preparedness for COVID-19. Video conferencing equipment was provided to expedite case management through virtual court hearings. Inmates also benefited from additional mobile airtime to maintain contact with their families, as well as post-release assistance.
- Similar initiatives have been implemented in Kenya, Somalia and several countries in southern Africa. In Malawi, prisoners’ accommodation areas were renovated to improve ventilation and access to water
- In the Sahel, support has included medical equipment for Mauritanian prison infirmaries
- In Bolivia, Lebanon, Myanmar, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Zambia and other countries, UNODC provided the prison authorities with urgently needed personal protective equipment, in addition to infrared thermometers, masks, gowns, gloves and disinfectants to hands
- UNODC continues to conduct webinars and online training courses on preventing and responding to COVID-19 in prisons in countries such as Brazil, Egypt, Pakistan, Peru, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and other southern African countries, yes as from Eastern Europe and Central Asia
- In Mauritania, a prison radio station will be established with the support of UNODC in three prisons to provide regular information on COVID-19 awareness, hygiene and health
- In Namibia, UNODC ensured the continued participation of prisoners in constructive activities by supporting the adaptation of a vocational training workshop to a soap and hand sanitizer production line with a view to reinforcing prevention measures.
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