Guidance issued today from the Government
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and prisons
This page provides guidance for families and friends of those in prison in England and Wales during the coronavirus pandemic.
Contents
This page will be updated as new advice becomes available.
Prison visits in England and Wales
Prison visits are temporarily suspended following instructions for people to stay at home, protect our NHS and save lives. We will update this page when this changes.
There are a number of other ways to contact someone in prison if you are unable to visit them. For example you might be able to leave a voice message using the Prison Voicemail Service or send them an email using the email a prisoner service. You can also write to them.
As a temporary measure, secure phone handsets will be given to prisoners at 55 prisons allowing risk-assessed prisoners to speak to a small number of pre-authorised contacts.
There are also a number of other helplines that can provide guidance.
What we are doing to keep people safe in prisons
Prisons have been working closely with public health and NHS services to put robust contingency plans in place. The plans prioritise the safety of staff, prisoners and visitors.
Existing, well-developed procedures are in place to manage outbreaks of infectious diseases and prisons are prepared if cases are identified. Plans are in place for dealing with staff absences if staff working in prisons need to self-isolate.
Handwashing facilities are available to prisoners, staff and visitors and we have worked closely with suppliers to ensure the supply of soap and cleaning materials.
Changes to regimes
The usual regime in prisons has been paused temporarily to apply social distancing. This is vital for keeping prisoners and staff safe and preventing the spread of the virus.
This means prisoners can no longer take part in usual recreational activities such as using the gym, going to worship or visiting the library.
Only essential workers such as kitchen staff or wing cleaners will continue with their jobs but people will still get paid.
Support for prisoners, such as advice on in-cell worship, exercise and managing anxiety will be provided.
If you are a friend or relative of a prisoner and want to know how this effects prison regimes, see Coronavirus: Q&A for friends and family of prisoners. We will continue to update and answer your frequently-asked questions.
Parole Board hearings and trials
All face-to-face Parole Board hearings and new jury trials have been temporarily suspended. The Parole Board will progress cases through a combination of remote hearings and a paper review process, sometimes combined with case management hearings.
Prisoners should contact their legal teams who will be able to tell them more. Prisoners will be given free materials for writing.
Find out more about trials and Parole Board hearings.
How we will update you about the impact of coronavirus on prisons
If there are changes to the general advice for visitors or the operation of the prison system, we will:
We also have a range of ways to communicate advice and guidance to people in prison, including National Prison Radio
If you have urgent concerns about someone in prison during the coronavirus outbreak
If you have urgent concerns about someone in prison you should call the prison direct. Contact details are available on the Prison Finder.
Last updated 31 March 2020 + show all updates
PRISON LAW - JANINE DOOLAN 