Out of an abundance of caution the inmate and staff population at Her Majesty’s Penitentiary (HMP) are being tested for COVID-19.
The Department of Justice and Public Safety was made aware yesterday evening (Wednesday, February 17) that a close contact of a Correctional Officer had tested positive for COVID-19. The Correctional Officer was last in the workplace February 7 and was already self-isolating. To date there are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 among staff or inmates in any of our correctional facilities.
As a result of the community spread in the St. John’s-metro area, less than two dozen employees are out of the workplace in self-isolation. Most of these employees are nearing the end of their isolation period and are expected back to work in the coming days. To protect the safety and security of the institution the exact number will not be released, however HMP is being staffed as normal. In an effort to prevent COVID-19 from entering our facilities, and to limit the potential spread of the virus, the inmate and staff population at HMP are being encouraged to be tested for the virus. Eastern Health officials are on site today conducting testing.
We continue to take and seek guidance on best practices from Public Health and Occupational Health and Safety as we consider all options to keep inmates and staff safe. All visitation and in-person programming offered by external facilitators was suspended February 8. Since Public Health Guidelines changed last week, inmate movement within facilities has been minimized and an area of quarantine has been prepared. All new admissions to custody are screened using a questionnaire and in accordance with a protocol developed in consultation with infection control specialists. Decisions on inmate care are made in consultation with medical professionals.
We are confident everyone who enters our facilities is taking the threat of COVID-19 very seriously by using the proper precautions to protect themselves, inmates and correctional staff.
Further updates will be provided as necessary.
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Media contacts
Danielle Barron
Justice and Public Safety
709-729-5188, 691-2944
daniellebarron@gov.nl.ca
Tina Newhook
Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 728-2837
tinanewhook@gov.nl.ca