‘I feel safer inside the prison than I do going to the shops‘
CLEANER SAYS PROTOCOLS ARE FOLLOWED
A CLEANER at HMP Hull says she feels safer in the prison than she does heading to the shops.
The Hedon Road facility has been dealing with a huge Covid-19 outbreak, which saw around 80 prisoners and staff struck down by the virus.
One source told the Mail “the wheels have come off” after the virus spread through I and J Wings, which house the prison’s sex offenders.
The source says there were up to 100 confirmed cases and at least one
Covid-positive prisoner died, although other reports suggest the number was nearer 80.
But the cleaner, who wishes to remain anonymous, insists there are numerous procedures and protocols in place to minimise the risks.
She said: “They would not let us go into work if the situation was out of control. There would be a full lockdown.
“I work there from Monday to Friday and also go in some weekends. I feel safer going into work than I do heading to the shops.
“When we enter we have to go through a machine, which can detect if we have a temperature and everyone wears masks and gloves.
“All the prisoners have their own washable masks. If they aren’t wearing one they immediately have to return to their cell.
“Each cell has hand sanitiser and prisoners clean their own cells while the prison is cleaned every day. Every staff member and prisoner is tested once a week.
“If a prisoner tests positive then anyone they have been in contact with is asked to self-isolate.
“Officers will go through CCTV to find out who he has been near. Those people will then also be asked to self-isolate for 14 days.”
“Health teams will monitor anyone who tests positive closely. If they fall seriously ill then an ambulance is called and they are taken to Hull Royal Infirmary.”
She says the welfare of prisoners is also balanced against the tight procedures in place.
She said: “Prisoners are not locked up all the time. The gym is closed, but they get time in the exercise yard.
“There are no visitors allowed at the moment, but the prison has set up video calls so inmates can stay in touch with family and friends.
“There has never been trouble in here. Everyone has accepted the rules and procedures.
“Prisoners understand why the rules are in place.”
The cleaner says Hull Prison had very few cases up until November when cases rose in Hull and then the second national wave around Christmas.
She said: “When Covid first arrived we had hardly any cases. It is only in this latest wave that we have seen more. Don’t get me wrong, it has been difficult at times and we have had to cope with staff being off.”
The prison worker says the biggest issue is the track and trace app, which she argues has resulted in staff having to self-isolate unnecessarily.
She said: “Track and trace app has been the worst thing. We are not allowed phones at work, but staff are being forced to selfisolate after being somewhere where there has been a recorded case.
“It means a lot of staff not being able to work even though they have tested negative and feel fine.
“Staff absence has put a strain within the prison. It was really bad just before Christmas, but other staff members came in on days off or worked late to help out. We have all pulled together.”
Her comments come after a bleak picture was painted by one source within the prison.
He said: “The wheels are coming off at the prison. There is one wing with more than 100 confirmed cases.
“It has been travelling round the prison at an alarming rate. A lot of staff are having to self-isolate and the impact is great. Staff are concerned about the long-term impact this will have.
“The majority of the cases are in
the I and J wings, which house the sex offenders.
“There is a concern here, because there tends to be an older age bracket among these prisoners.
“There have been very unwell prisoners on ventilators and in comas.
“It must be a nightmare for the governor and we are all working together to get a positive outcome but this has been a very difficult time.”
The Mail understands the majority of the 80-100 prisoners and staff who tested positive are now coming to the end of their self-isolation and only a handful of prisoners remain Covid-positive.
A Prison Service spokesperson said: “Our priority is to limit the spread of the virus and protect the lives of those who live and work in our prisons.
“We have taken precautionary measures at Hull, in line with public health guidance, and will continue to closely monitor the situation.”
Public Health England has confirmed there have been a number of Covid cases in the last couple of months.
A spokesman said: “A number of staff and prisoners at HMP Hull have tested positive for Covid-19 over recent months and Public Health England has been working closely with the prison and the local authority to manage this, reduce transmission of the infection and advise on selfisolation and testing.”