Coronavirus to Lockdown Prisons

As of today, March 24th, the UK has been put on lockdown in order to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19. The Prime Minister made an announcement last night saying these strict measures are the best way to ensure this virus is stopped. The closure of restaurants and cafés as well as non essential shops has been put in place for today and is expected to last at least three weeks. This is to promote social distancing among the public. These measures have also been put in place in prisons across England and Wales. Visiting from friends and family is no longer permitted in prisons to make sure the virus is not spread to inmates and to prevent the passing of the virus from prisoner to visiter, if an inmate were to have it. Phone calls are still allowed so inmates can keep in contact with their families.

Exercise will have stricter measures put in place to ensure social distancing is being practiced. Educational classes and workshops have been cancelled to keep staff and prisoners safe from the coronavirus outbreak that has made an impact in every corner of the world.

There are talks to release non-violent inmates who do not pose as a threat to the public. They will be given an electronic tag so they can be monitored and will have a curfew that they must be home by.