Covid-19 measures implelented at HMP La Moye (FOI)

​Request

I wish to know the following information regarding States of Jersey Prison staff and staff in contracted out prisons relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

A

What are the safety measures that States of Jersey Prison staff and staff from contracted out prisons using to protect both themselves and inmates from the coronavirus?

Coronavirus tests in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons
B

Are States of Jersey Prison staff and staff from contracted out prisons, both officers and civilian staff, being tested for the coronavirus?

C

If so, when was this implemented?

D

If not, is it proposed to do so and when?

E

Are States of Jersey Prison staff and staff from contracted out prisons, both officers and civilian staff, being tested to ascertain if they have already had coronavirus?

F

If so, when was this implemented?

G

If not, is it proposed to do so and when?

Protective gear in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons

H

Are States of Jersey Prison staff and staff from contracted out prisons, both officers and civilian staff, being issued with and being required to wear protective facemasks and see through face coverings?

I

If so, when was this implemented?

J

If not, is it proposed to do so and when?

K

Are inmates of States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons, being issued with and being required to wear protective facemasks and see through face coverings?

L

If so, when was this implemented?

M

If not, is it proposed to do so and when?

Social distancing measures in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons
N

How are States of Jersey Prison staff and staff from contracted out prisons operating the social distancing requirements at inmates meal times and other out of cell breaks?

O

Is daily exercise for the inmates of States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons still being held?

P

If so, how are the social distancing requirements being implemented for inmates?

Q

If so, when was this implemented?

Disinfectant measures in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons

R

Are disinfectant measures being used in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons during the coronavirus outbreak?

S

If so, what disinfectants are being used and where are they being used in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons?

T

If so, when was this implemented?

U

If not, is it proposed to do so and when?

Response

The States of Jersey Prison Service (SoJPS) would like to point out that there is only one Prison located in Jersey and no contracted out prisons.

A

The States of Jersey Prison Service (SoJPS) have a number of measures in place.

• restricted movement to / from the prison – prisoner visits with family, professional visits, medical visits, have now ceased, or takes place via video link.

• GP clinics have reduced to two per week and essential consultations only.

• PPE – all officers wear PPE appropriate to the level of interaction required.

Coronavirus tests in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons

B

At the start of the pandemic, Prison staff were given the PCR test if symptomatic, following the Government of Jersey policy by contacting the helpline and following their advice.

More recently, all staff are eligible for testing under the PCR testing scheme and also have access to the antibody testing scheme.

C

Testing for Prison Officers showing symptoms of Covid-19 were offered testing from the beginning of the pandemic as per Government of Jersey policy.

The wider PCR testing scheme and antibody testing scheme was introduced from 18 May 2020.

D

Both PCR and antibody testing for all essential staff (including prison staff) is currently underway by the Government of Jersey.

E

Yes, antibody testing to detect whether prison staff have had the virus is available to prison staff through the Government of Jersey testing scheme.

F

The wider scheme commenced on 18 May 2020.

G

Not applicable - see above responses.

Protective gear in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons 

H

Yes. Staff are being issued with protective facemasks and visors if required.

I

Preparations began at beginning of Covid-19 pandemic.

J

Not applicable – see response to request 'I' above

K

Prisoners are asked to wear cloth facemasks, which are provided for them. A strict policy is in place which will require prisoners to wear surgical facemasks in specific circumstances – such as if they are being cared for on an isolation wing. To date we are Covid free, so we do not need to implement this policy yet.

L

Preparations began at beginning of Covid -19 pandemic.

M

Preparations began at beginning of Covid -19 pandemic and will be implemented when / if we have an outbreak at the prison.

Social distancing measures in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons

N

This is implemented by altering the regime to allow prisoners time to collect meals etc., whilst maintaining a 2-metre distance.

Workshops and places of work have undergone similar modifications to allow social distancing.

Similar modifications are in place to enable staff to maintain a 2-metre distance such as entering the prison, collecting keys etc.

O

Yes

P

We have changed the regime to allow prisoners to exercise and maintain a two meter distance.

Q

Preparations began at beginning of Covid -19 pandemic; we implemented changes slowly from the beginning of March.

Disinfectant measures in States of Jersey prisons and contracted out prisons

R

The SoJPS has an Infection Prevention and Control policy in place, which is adhered to.

S

This depends on the circumstances; various factors will determine the level of cleaning required and what substances are used. An extract of the IP and C policy can be viewed at the following link:

The Infection Prevention and Control (IP&C) team at JGH approves this policy

T

This policy was Implemented in 2002 and reviewed annually.

U

Not applicable. See above responses.