The authorities allocated seven new units for incoming prisoners. The head of the National Authority against Torture stated that health protocols were not respected in prisons. He pointed to the lack of distancing and mask wearing and said that the facilities had become a hotbed of infection due to transfers between courts and prisons.

A vaccination program for incarcerated people was reportedly launched on 28 March. In April, the prison administration stated that dit was planning to vaccinate 5,000 prisoners over 65 or suffering from chronic diseases. The vaccination campaign began at Mornaguia prison.

The interim Minister of Justice stated that Uthna Prison had been chosen to receive all prisoners who would test positive in order to isolate them from the rest of the prison population.

Seven COVID-19 positive cases were reported on 28 March in the country’s prisons (two prisoners and five staff members). On 2 June, 143 other prisoners and 50 other staff members tested positive. On 29 June, an outbreak was discovered at Messaâdine prison, where a total of 292 prisoners and prison staff members tested positive.

The penal administration announced hygiene measure strengthening in prisons. The administration is planning for sterilization operations, the purchase of thermal cameras, and the creation of isolation cells. Newcomers are being examined in full before being placed in the cells. Special visiting rooms (allowing direct contact between prisoner and visitor) were suspended until further notice. The possibility of providing food parcels made by families (baskets) is limited. The administration is planning for the implementation of awareness and information campaigns for prisons and prison staff on appropriate preventive measures.

>> Prison Insider has been documenting measures taken and events observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, on the basis of the information available.