Inmates At Lusignan Prison Tested Positive For COVID-19

Director of the Lusignan Prison, Gladwin Samuels, confirms that two prisoners have now tested positive for Coronavirus (COVID-19) from the Lusignan Prison Holding Bay. 

According to Samuels, the circumstance of how the prisoners contract the virus is ‘unknown,’ but the investigation is on going. Persons who were in contact with the prisoners are being contacted immediately.

“All persons exhibiting signs and symptoms of COVID-19 will be examined and exposed to the Standard Operational Procedures outlined by the Ministry of Health. Systems are also being put in place to monitor the rest of the prison population and monitor Prison Officers and staff. Further, the steps taken over the months to prevent coronavirus from the prison will be revisited and expanded where necessary,” said Gladwin Samuels

UNAIDS warned that the threat of COVID-19 in prisons is very real. Since physical distancing is impossible because of overcrowding prisons worldwide, prisoners fear being infected with the virus. 

“A health response to COVID-19 in prisons is not enough. This unprecedented global emergency demands a response based on human rights,” said Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS. “Countries must ensure not only the security but also the health, safety, and human dignity of people deprived of their liberty at all times, irrespective of any state of emergency.”

Since COVID-19 is no alien, the Guyana Prison Service wants to inform the general public that they follow the necessary protocols to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.