Jails turning into ‘ticking time bombs’ as fear over virus spreads through cells

PRISONERS have described how jails are turning into ‘ticking time bombs’ after three deaths from coronavirus and inmates ‘banged up 23-and-a-half hours a day’.

Inmates have described heightened tensions behind the walls at Strangeways and Salford’s Forest Bank prison – and prison officers say it’s ‘remarkable’ that tensions have not spilled over during the crisis.

All three inmates who have died after contracting coronavirus had been serving time in prisons in England - including a 66-year-old man in Manchester’s Strangeways.

All three were said to have existing serious medical conditions.

One 20-year-old prisoner from Macclesfield, who was released this week, told the M.E.N: “We have been banged up 23-and-a-half hours a day. You get half an hour to sort out your meal menus, take a quick shower, and then have bit of exercise.”

The number of prisoners who have tested positive for coronavirus has risen to above 70 in England and Wales with more than 1,000 in self isolation.

All prison visits have been stopped and pressure is mounting for more inmates to be released to stop a catastrophic spread of the virus.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Our utmost priority is to protect life during the coronavirus outbreak. We have flexible plans in place to keep all staff and prisoners as safe as possible, and are issuing secure phone handsets to help offenders keep in touch with their loved ones.”

Matt Spencer, director at HMP Forest Bank, said: “We are working fully to guidelines issued from Public Health England, HMPPS and Sodexo.”