Kentish Gazette Canterbury & District
Changes ushered in on long court cases
People going through the police and courts service have so far avoided major disruption as a result of the coronavirus, but that could all change in a rapidly-moving picture. The present situation is as follows:
COURTS
No new Crown Court trials will take place in England and Wales if they are expected to last longer than three days, following concerns from lawyers. The government says during the current phase of the outbreak, courts and tribunals will continue to operate. Canterbury Crown Court is expected to continue hearing cases of three days or less. But long cases listed to start before the end of April will be adjourned.
The other change is that visitors are being allowed to bring hand sanitiser with them as the ban on bringing liquid into court buildings is temporarily relaxed. Security officers will be checking substances to ensure they are not harmful.
Court visitors will be allowed to move their own belongings around in their bags during the security check if they do not wish officials to touch them. Hand-held scanners are still in operation for people entering court, as no personal contact is necessary.
PRISONS
The seven prisons in Kent are Elmley, Standford Hill and Swaleside on Sheppey, Cookham Wood and HMP Rochester in Medway, East Sutton Park and HMP Maidstone in Maidstone.
The minister in charge of prisons, Lucy Frazer, has said that prisons already have established protocols for dealing with infectious diseases.
She said: “Prisons have existing, well-developed policies and procedures in place to manage outbreaks of infectious diseases. This means prisons are well prepared to take immediate action whenever cases or suspected cases are identified, including isolating individuals where necessary.” Hygiene measures are being ramped up with advice about good hygiene practice promoted on posters in all prisons with prisoners, staff and visitors able to wash their hands at multiple locations,while “adequate” supplies of soap and cleaning materials have been secured. Prison visits are being maintained at present, except for visitors displaying the symptoms of Covid-19 - a fever or new, persistent cough.
A hint of change to come was given with the minister stating the service is “looking into ways to keep prisoners in close contact with their families in all eventualities”.
JURY SERVICE
There are more exemptions for people on jury service. Anyone with symptoms of coronavirus is excluded.
Other groups of people who are now excused from jury service are those over 70, people with weakened immune systems or underlying health conditions, and pregnant women.
POLICE
Kent Police was contacted to ask how the force is dealing with the coronavirus outbreak, including the safety of officers in the arrest procedure and handcuffing.
The force’s deputy chief officer Ian Drysdale said: “The response to the Covid-19 coronavirus is being led by Public Health England.
“The police service nationally is working closely with them and the government to ensure all officers and staff have the latest guidance and advice on areas including personal protection and working from home
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