Prince Albert Correctional Centre is located on the south side of Prince Albert. (File photo/ paNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Corrections

Three active COVID cases connected to the Prince Albert Correctional Centre

Dec 3, 2020 | 3:00 PM

According to a statement Thursday from the Ministry of Corrections, Policing and Public Safety, corrections staff are working closely with public health authorities to reduce the likelihood of further spread of the virus at the Prince Albert Correctional Centre.

This comes following news of three active cases connected to the men’s jail – one staff member and two inmates.

When the ministry provided an update last week, no inmates had been infected. Corrections are now working with public health authorities to conduct testing and contact tracing.

“Corrections has taken strict measures, in consultation with public health officials, to protect both staff and offenders,” the statement from the ministry explained.

Among those measures in place are limiting in-person visitations; isolation and quarantine protocols for those who exhibit symptoms; continuous masking of staff and offenders; and enhanced cleaning measures.

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All new admissions are tested and quarantined for 14 days.

“All adult correctional facilities have nurses on staff. All offenders have access to medical care, and all offenders who have tested positive for COVID-19 are being carefully monitored,” the statement explained, adding in the event an offender requires health services beyond what is available in a correctional facility, staff will ensure this is provided.

To help address concerns related to overcrowding and social distancing at the jail, a number of groups in the province have been calling for the temporary release of non-violent, immunocompromised and/or elderly inmates.

Minister Christine Tell has said only the courts, not the province, possess the authority to make decisions related to the release of inmates.

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nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell