PANJIM: The Prison Department’s instruction to quarantine new inmates for 14 days does not appear to be being strictly followed in the modern jail at Colvale.
Sources said that the open threat by inmates to jail officials not to keep new inmates locked in the quarantine space, within the jail premises, has raised alarms as it poses a risk to those lodged in different cells. The Prisons Department has, however, denied the allegation.
At least 14 cells in the spacious state-of-the-art jail have been converted into a quarantine facility for new inmates and those returning after completion of parole/furlough.
Each of the quarantine cells has been allowed to house three to four inmates to adhere to social distancing norms and other health protocols. Sources said that some 20-odd inmates lodged in this facility are throwing safety norms to the wind and are allegedly threatening jail officials to not lock their cells despite knowing the risk of COVID-19 transmission.
Incidentally, four accused in the St Cruz shootout were recently sent to judicial custody at Colvale Jail, and are currently lodged at the quarantine cells.
“Some inmates have warned the jail officials to not keep them locked inside. They were explained about the potential risk of transmission if preventive measures are ignored. This jail has convicts and undertrials. If one case is detected, everyone will be at risk,” an official, seeking anonymity, said.
The cells are reportedly now unlocked and that’s how inmates roam freely within the premises, mixing with non-quarantined prisoners too.
After the coronavirus outbreak, with social distancing becoming the new norm, it was decided that some of them be released on parole or furlough, until the lockdown period. More than 50 inmates have so far been temporarily released since the enforcement of the lockdown. On their return, they would be quarantined for 14 days within the premises.
Amidst this procedure, the jail has been getting new inmates who are also to be mandatorily going through the quarantine process. But keeping them for these many days is posing a big challenge.
“We cannot allow newcomers to directly join the other inmates. We cannot even imagine what the situation will be if the virus spreads,” the official said.
Herald contacted senior prisons officers who denied of any such instance. “Whatever we are doing is for the well-being of all the inmates and the staff working in there. We have not received any complaint about flouting the quarantine norm but if they do so or if they indulge in any activity against the law, they will be lodged alone in a separate cell for one month as a punishment.”
It has also come to the fore that inmates have been moving around the campus even beyond the permissible time of 6pm, an allegation also refuted by the department.
