Correctional facilities have been at the epicenter of COVID-19 outbreaks in a number of North American jurisdictions, but not in Newfoundland and Labrador.

There have been no confirmed cases of the virus in the province’s correctional facilities and some inmates have been released thanks to a number of options since the public health emergency was declared on March 18th.

The Department of Justice says 53 inmates have been released from Her Majesty’s Penitentiary through a combination of time-served, court-led processes and temporary absence options, while 12 women have been released from the Correctional Centre for Women in Clarenville.

As of April 28th, there were 87 inmates at HMP, and 14 at the Clarenville correctional centre.

Masks are mandatory for all staff on duty, and additional PPE is available to staff based on a risk assessment.

You can read a statement from the Department of Justice on measures being taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 below.

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“Service providers at our correctional facilities are screened in accordance with a protocol developed in consultation with infection-control specialists. Questions, not unlike those being asked of the general public upon screening for COVID-19 testing, include whether one is experiencing symptoms, has recently traveled, or is known to have come in contact with someone confirmed to have the virus.

No one displaying symptoms is permitted to enter our facilities.

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.”

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