J&K govt sets up quarantine & isolation facilities in different prisons to fight COVID-19

To fight against dely virus COVID-19, Jammu and Kashmir government has set up quarantine and isolation facilities in different prisons across newly created Union Territory to prevent spre of coronavirus disease among jail inmates.

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We have set up a quarantine and isolation facility in every prison in J&K. However, our primary concern is new arrivals. We are regularly issuing updates on new arrivals,” J&K Director General of Prisons, V K Singh, said. 

He also said that if a suspect from new arrivals is found, he is immediately quarantined and kept in isolation by doctors who always remain present in jails. “ prisoners are being monitored every day and ir body temperature checked by trained doctors,” DGP Singh said. 

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DGP said t only jail inmates but prison staff is also being monitored and checked for symptoms. 

“ prison staff is being provided with rmal scanners while as both staff and prisoners are being provided with sanitizers, masks while as all jails are being cleaned and sanitized,” he said.

Meanwhile, prison authorities have also stopped meetings between family members and inmates as a precautionary measure. “Also, we have stopped guest lectures and experts who would frequent prisons for imparting training to prisoners etc,” Singh ded. 

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On demands from various sections of society on shifting Kashmiri prisoners lodged in various prisons out of J&K, DG prisons said it is Home Department that has to take a call on it. “When security forces have decided to call off travel, I think it is t feasible to shift prisoners lodged outside at this juncture as travel is major means of transmitting virus. Still, department of Home has prerogative to take a call on this,” ded DGP V K Singh

It is pertinent to mention that J&K, Lt. Goverr Girish Chander Murmu has declared COVID-19 as an epidemic in Jammu and Kashmir. In Valley, n-cooperation by suspect patients w a criminal offence, Public entry has been barred in Civil Secretariat, HoD level offices.

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