The Maldives Correctional Service (MCS) has taken a number of precautionary measures for the safety and security of their employees as well as inmates.

These measures are followed by the Maldivian government’s announcement of the State of Public Health Emergency due to the wide-spreading Covid-19 pandemic, which was subsequently followed by a lockdown.

As such, the authority has formed a special task force to enforce precautionary measures against the spread of the virus under the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) established in accordance with the guidelines set by the Health Protection Agency (HPA). These measures will be implemented at all prisons.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih granted clemency to 105 inmates on April 15 following which they have been released back into society. This was done to resolve the congestion at prisons.

Further, a total of 29 undocumented expatriated in Hulhumalé Detention Center were also deported to Bangladesh.

MCS went on to reveal that on-site medical staff conducts daily screening for inmates to detect fever or flu symptoms such as coughing and sneezing. Should any of these symptoms be detected, the inmate will be isolated and treated at the medical facility established in the respective prisons.

Similarly, the authority also conduct screening for officers and staff and the same protocol is followed if symptoms are detected.

Medical personnel have been trained by the HPA to use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and conduct testing for the virus and HPA officials have also provided information sessions for inmates and civil staff.

MCS has also provided a stock of face masks, hand sanitizer and soap for all prison facilities and these facilities have been following a “more rigorous” cleaning procedure than before.

Also, mosquito breeding grounds are checked and destroyed to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue, said the authority.

In addition, prison officers and officials have been locked down at prison facilities after the government imposed the lockdown and a movement suspension is also in place unless for essential medical treatment and court proceedings.

Familial and conjugal visits have also been suspended following the surge in Covid-19 cases, however, the phone call duration for inmates has been extended.

MCS has been diligently operating on a round-the-clock basis to provided important services to the inmates, despite all government offices and state institutions being closed since March 19. MCS is one of the institutions that have been authorized to provide uninterrupted essential services with a minimal number of staff.