The management of COVID-19 in prisons - the case of Northern Ireland

This paper describes COVID-19 cases in the Northern Ireland (NI) prison population during the pandemic in relation to the general population and changes implemented to control infection in NI prisons. Data obtained from the Department of Justice and Department of Health (week ending 22nd May 2020 to week ending 8th April 2022) are presented using descriptive statistics. An account based on information about meetings, activities, routines and processes in prison during the pandemic was gathered mainly via an interview with a Healthcare in Prison staff member. This narrative was refined following feedback from the lead Northern Ireland Prison Service (NIPS) liaison person to provide an overview of infection control measures, adaptations and cases.

Strict infection prevention and control measures introduced in NI prisons, such as screening on entry and isolation periods, restricted access, halting all non-essential activities and providing additional wash stations were successful in minimising the onset and spread of COVID-19. The integrated NIPS-HiP approach appeared to prevent COVID-19 infections for most of the pandemic, and the waves of peak infection that characterised spread in the general population were not evident in the prison population. This management approach in prisons was characterised by multiagency partnership involving the NI Public Health Agency, joined-up planning and collaborative working.

This study describes the implementation of infection control measures in NI prisons during the COVID-19 pandemic and contributes to our understanding/planning about the prevention and management of similar scenarios in the future.