Until recently, NSW had seen very few COVID cases in prisons. But that has changed, with Croakey Health Media reporting on Monday that:

"In response to queries from Croakey, NSW justice officials last week confirmed seven (including one staff member) COVID-19 cases in prisons and juvenile justice facilities, the highest number in a justice jurisdiction since the pandemic began, according to international advocacy group Human Rights Watch."

This is of particular concern given the over-representation of Indigenous people in our prisons, coupled with their disproportionate COVID risk. NSWCCL is calling on the government to take urgent action, including:

• Releasing people who are at heightened risk from the virus plus low-risk detainees
• Making rapid COVID testing available within correctional facilities
• Giving staff and incarcerated people access to vaccines
• Making information about vaccination rates in custody public
• Providing additional mental health resources in prisons - bans on visitors should only be used as a means of last resort
• Ensuring that isolation and quarantine do not look like punitive measures

The government must act now.

More information

• Read our letter to Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections Anthony Roberts 
• Australia: Protect At-Risk Communities from Covid-19 Human Rights Watch 19 Aug '21
• Urgent calls for New South Wales Government to address COVID risk in prisons Croakey 23 Aug '21
• Concerns remain over incarcerated people's wellbeing during the pandemic NSWCCL 12 Aug '21