Guidance

Preventing and controlling outbreaks of COVID-19 in prisons and places of detention

Information for prisons and other prescribed places of detention on coronavirus (COVID-19).

From:
UK Health Security Agency and Ministry of Justice
Published
16 March 2020
Last updated
27 September 2022 — See all updates

This publication was withdrawn on

For current guidance, see COVID-19: outbreaks in prisons, refuges and other higher-risk accommodation settings.

Documents

[Withdrawn] Preventing and controlling outbreaks of COVID-19 in prisons and places of detention

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Details

This guidance will assist custodial, detention and healthcare staff in addressing coronavirus (COVID-19) in a prison or prescribed place of detention (PPD).

The following establishments in England are included within the definition of PPDs used in this guidance:

  • prisons (both public and privately managed)
  • immigration removal centres (IRC)
  • YOI units for those aged 18 years and over

Controlling the spread of infection in PPDs will rely on coordinating healthcare and custodial staff working with local health protection teams.

Recommendations made here may also be relevant to prison escort and custodial services (PECS) staff, particularly environmental cleaning recommendations and advice to staff.

The Recommended PPE for staff in prisons and community offender accommodation PDF is suitable for printing and viewing online.

Please note

This guidance is of a general nature and should be treated as a guide, and in the event of any conflict between any applicable legislation (including the health and safety legislation) and this guidance, the applicable legislation shall prevail.

Updates to this page

Published 16 March 2020
Last updated 27 September 2022 + show all updates

  1. Added new version of the PPE guidance.

  2. Updated in line with pause to asymptomatic testing from 31 August. Updated information about contact tracing.

  3. Added note on changes to routine asymptomatic testing from 31 August.

  4. Overall update to guidance.

  5. Updated in line with changes to outbreak recovery testing, reverse cohorting, self-isolation advice for COVID-19 contacts and daily contact testing of staff.

  6. Updated information on: ending self-isolation for prisoners/detainees and staff who test positive for COVID-19; testing information for staff and prisoners/detainees who are identified as a contact; return to work criteria for staff who test positive for COVID-19 or who are identified as a contact; visitors to prisons.

  7. Added statement explaining that the guidance was currently under review and would be updated shortly.

  8. Updated guidance on isolation requirements for fully vaccinated prisoners or detainees if a contact of a case.

  9. Updated in line with changes to self-isolation for contacts from 16 August.

  10. Added sections on testing and vaccination. Updated guidance in line with Step 4 of the roadmap for 19 July.

  11. Updated 'Recommended PPE for staff in prisons and community offender accommodation' PDF.

  12. Updated with regard to testing on reception.

  13. Updated self-isolation period to 10 days.

  14. Added COVID-19 guidance for prisons and places of detention poster.

  15. Changed isolation period from 7 to 10 days.

  16. Added information on interpreting negative test results in those who are symptomatic.

  17. Added information relating to controlling outbreaks of COVID-19, transition of prisoners or detainees into the community and court appearances during outbreaks. Added separate PPE table.

  18. Added updated poster.

  19. Updated information on symptoms.

  20. Added clarification on guidance and legislation.

  21. Added poster.

  22. Added guidance poster.

  23. First published.

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