Home care service cut

THE impact of coronavirus on Scotland’s prisons is a “disaster waiting to happen”, according to an expert group. The Scottish Prisoner Advocacy & Research Collective (SPARC) says our crowded jails are creating the “perfect” conditions for the rapid spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus – which has claimed the lives of six people in Scotland, with a 322 infected.

It also fears that any self-isolating and a reduction in family visits could cause “dangerous” consequences – including the potential for riots – warning that “a prison sentence should not be a death sentence”.

On Thursday, the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) revealed two prisoners at HMP Kilmarnock have tested positive for the virus. It is receiving support from NHS Ayrshire and Arran.

The SPS has since confirmed to the Glasgow Times that no prisoners within Barlinnie have tested positive – meanwhile 50 inmates are self-isolating with symptoms across 12 sites.

They are having to self-isolate in their cell for seven days.

The prison service has said that “robust pandemic plans” are in place and are in “regular communication with those in our care to provide guidance on how to prevent the spread of infection” – but SPARC believes this is “too late, too vague”.

SPARC refers to a report from 2018 which found people living in HMP Barlinnie in Riddrie had less than 3sq.m of living space – adding “conditions in the cells in Barlinnie, especially in the Admissions Unit, were described as dirty and cramped”.

It says those in prison are “especially at risk of worse outcomes of COVID-19” due to their “poorer physical health than the general population”.

SPARC added: “Recent research emphasised that less isolation and more access to family were crucial for the wellbeing of young people in

A REDUCED service for people who receive home care from Glasgow City Council has been put in place to ensure those most in need get care the depend on while resources are prioritised to cope with the coronavirus crisis.

The council has moved to implement custody, but both of these are likely to be highly limited in the current context. With the likelihood of reduced or cancelled visits, this is hugely concerning and dangerous.

“Family visits are precious, and both the direct and indirect impact of limiting these can be significant.

“In Italy, when significant restrictions were placed on visits as part of measures to limit the spread of coronavirus, this contributed to riots within the prisons, which resulted in the death of 12 people.

“The risk of instability inside the prison is yet another concern for those in prison and their families.”

This is hugely concerning and dangerous

a “critical care” service all over the city.

It means certain categories of care will still be delivered while others will not receive the same service as before.

The council said families have been contacted to inform them of the changes to ensure people are still supported through the critical care period.

Those who will