The justice secretary meanwhile faces legal action for being too slow to act on coronavirus in prisons. With many jails understaffed and prisoners facing near 24/7 lockdown, there is only “one safety valve to reduce pressure,” the report recommended: “Reducing the number of prisoners.” As with other prisons across the UK, a dangerous situation has emerged for inmates, particularly for those with mental health issues.īarristers and a QC from Garden Court Chambers published a report in March urging lawyers to protect the health and human rights of remanded clients by making rapid bail applications. Off Gloucester Road in Horfield, all visits to HMP Bristol prison have stopped, the gym is shut, educational classes cancelled, and social distancing is proving difficult to manage in a prison which was built in the 1880s. But what we know for now, is that Ashley and Jason were both held on remand awaiting trial, and the two deaths are being treated as self-inflicted.Įver since the pandemic brought the criminal justice system to its knees, lawyers and campaigners have sounded the alarm about the safety of prisoners, including those awaiting trial. ![]() As with all deaths in custody, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman will conduct independent inquiries and the full facts will emerge. It would be unwise to draw conclusions on the causes of these two deaths. A day later, Jason Parker, 48, died at HMP Durham. "No-one will be criticised or judged for doing the right thing. That's exactly what we want to see happen.In the space of two days in early May, two prisoners at opposite ends of the country died.Īshley Deane Roberts was only 22 when he passed away in hospital on 1 May. "I had some feedback that some people are very reticent to necessarily discuss symptoms or a positive diagnosis with family members, they might see that as somehow being a reflection on their family or a reflection on them," Mr Andrews said. Mr Andrews said some people also felt a "sense of awkwardness or embarrassment" around admitting to their boss they had symptoms. "Whilst we never encourage people to be claiming things they're not entitled to, I'm very keen to get that money out as fast as we possibly can because the benefits will far outweigh any minor issues that we might have," he said. Mr Andrews said he had asked for the process to be "streamlined" after reports some people were waiting weeks to access the money. Read our full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic There's also a $300 payment for workers and carers who must self-isolate while waiting for a test result. The payments are available to all Victorian workers aged 17 and over, including those on temporary protection visas and temporary working visas 457 and 482. Care for a child aged under 16 who tests positive or is a close contact of a confirmed case.Are a close contact of a confirmed case. ![]() Victoria now offers hardship payments of $1,500 to workers who do not have access to paid leave, and cannot attend work because they: The State Government has tried to address some of the reasons people continue to work while sick, including financial stress. ![]() ( ABC News: Peter Drought) Premier calls for 'streamlined' access to hardship payments Approximately 3 per cent of coronavirus tests came back positive yesterday.
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