High risk prisoners under the custody of Maldives Correctional Services have been transferred to home arrest due to the current COVID-19 situation in the Maldives.
Media Official from Correctional Services, Yusreen Ahmed told AVAS that while COVID-19 outbreaks have been identified in prisons, a risk assessment was conducted to identify high risk prisoners. The assessment identified 40 high risk individuals, and 17 prisoners from among them have already been transferred home after their families consented to the transfer, said Yusreen. She further noted that the authority is working to place the remaining high risk individuals under their family's care. Special attention is being paid to their well-being in the meantime, she added.
A huge cluster if COVID-19 infections was recently identified at Asseyri Jail in K. Himmafushi. An official from Maldives Correctional Service earlier told AVAS that 122 samples were taken from among the inmates at the jail, and 94 samples were positive for COVID-19. None of those who tested positive are in serious condition at this time.
According to Maldives Correctional Service, no positive cases of COVID-19 are active at Maafushi and Hulhumale' Prison. However, 12 inmates at Male' Prison and two at the Detention Centre in Hulhumale' are receiving treatment for COVID-19. One inmate has been moved to the COVID-19 Medical Facility in Hulhumale' for further treatment.
55 percent of inmates who are in the custody of Maldives Correctional Services have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
