Jamaica’s Prison System at Risk according to Reports, 61 Cases of Covid-19

Made in JamaicaOctober 16, 2020

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Minister without Portfolio, Matthew Samuda who works with the Ministry of Security recently informed Jamaicans through a virtual press that there are 61 cases of Covid-19 in the island’s prison system.

A total of 128 employees and 271 prisoners were tested and 37 persons on staff, as well as 24 prisoners were tested positive for the deadly virus.

The minister declared that the positive results are a sign that the facilities are overcrowded.

Mr. Samuda also said that they were in contact with the Office of public prosecutions to release some inmates early as some are unfit to even plead and without even being charged are forced to spend years behind bars.

Even though it is reported that 630 prisoners are eligible for parole, many of them will not be allowed to be free as only 150 prisoners are free per year.

The above fact would mean serious problems for the prison system as the positive cases of Covid-19 rapidly rise.

Jamaica has seen the total cases jump to multiple thousands after the recent general elections, Jamaica is at 8,067 cases with 4,320 still active. 194 persons are currently hospitalized with 47 said to be moderately ill while 18 persons are critically ill.

See recent daily changes in cases island wide.