PANJIM: Against the backdrop of rise in COVID-19 cases inside the jail premises, the staff at Colvale Central Jail has been reluctant to perform their duty in the barrack where virus-infected inmates have been lodged for recuperation.
Absence of safety gear – Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) kits is cited as a reason and is what they have been demanding.
In an order on August 21, when number of positive cases began to rise, Assistant Superintendent Bhanudas Pednekar issued an order asking all the jail guards and other officials to carry out their duty in Block No III, designated for COVID-19 patients, by maintaining social distancing and wearing of face masks, hand gloves and using hand sanitiser.
The order, pinned on the notice board in the jail, has also a handwritten note from a staff asking to “Give face mask.”
With no proper protection kits made available and non-sanitisation of the jail, some staff – apprehensive of their health safety – began to remain absent from work. This thereafter prompted Superintendent Ashutosh Apte issue a warning.
“…the executive staff of the jail is remaining unauthorized absent by putting the jail security and general functioning at stake. So also, at the current juncture, this jail is passing through the pandemic situation of COVID-19 which required to be tackled manually,” the order states adding, “Hence, all the jailors, assistant jailors, head guards and jail guards are hereby directed to attend their rotational duties and office duties without any absenteeism, failing which it will (be) presumed that they have no interest in Government Service and the action like break-in-service or more than that will be issued against the erring person without further notice.”
Herald spoke to some staff who on condition of anonymity expressed serious concern over non availability of proper safety kits.
“We are working in the block where COVID-19 positive inmates are undergoing treatment and recuperation. One jail guard, who was posted on duty at this block, was recently infected with the virus. It obviously means it is not safe unless thorough safety tips are followed,” a jail guard said.
Sources also said that the jail premises are not being sanitised regularly while senior officials are escaping duty with no action taken against them. Around 50 inmates and staff have so far been infected with the virus.
Inspector General of Prisons Gurudas Pilarnkar had told Herald that prison authorities have taken every possible step to stop further spread of the virus by sanitising the premises and following all other health protocols.
