To support Member States in effective preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 in prisons and other places of detention, WHO has developed a checklist to help policy-makers and prison administrators evaluate their level of preparedness for the disease.
The checklist covers actions specifically designed or adapted to tackle the current COVID-19 pandemic, along with other aspects that relate to wider service planning and delivery. The checklist encompasses essential elements such as:
- human rights – to ensure good principles and practice in prisoner treatment and prison management;
- risk assessment and management – to prevent COVID-19 from spreading in prisons and to manage the associated risks;
- referral system and clinical management – to enable identified cases to be appropriately managed and receive adequate health care;
- contingency planning – to check that contingency plans are in place and are adequately communicated;
- training – to equip prison staff with skills to deal with COVID-19;
- risk communication – to ensure message coordination and consistency, as well as their accuracy, clarity and relevance in prison settings;
- prevention measures – to assess prevention and control facilities in prison;
- case management – to ensure that cases are appropriately managed.
The development of the checklist, supported by the Finnish Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, provided the opportunity to convene different partners and members of the WHO Steering Group on Prison Health, namely the Andalusian School of Public Health; the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC); the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA); the Federal Office of Public Health, Department of Communicable Diseases, Switzerland; Public Health England; the UK Collaborating Centre for the WHO Health in Prisons Programme; the University of Pisa; and the Justice Health Unit, University of Melbourne.
Web survey to assess checklist implementation
WHO/Europe has also developed a web survey to support countries in assessing the implementation of the WHO interim guidance on preparedness, prevention and control of COVID-19 in prisons. Data collected will contribute to the development of a report on the response to COVID-19 in prisons and other places of detention.
Follow the link to access the web survey and respond by 30 May 2020.
