120 inmates at The Verne reported to have tested positive for Covid-19
Calls for prison officers at the Portland jail to be vaccinated
Last updated 26th Feb 2021
It's being reported 120 prisoners at HMP The Verne on Portland have tested positive for Covid-19.
The outbreak has sparked calls for prisoner officers to be vaccinated.
The Verne holds 570 prisoners, around 80 of them are aged 70 or over.
During the first three lockdowns the prison was Covid-free - but that's no longer the case.
More than 120 inmates now have the virus and a number of prison officers are self-isolating.
Chris Miller is the Chair of the Independent Monitoring Board at The Verne.
They've just released a report on the prison for men convicted of sexual offences.
The report says The Verne is a "well-run establishment where prisoners are treated with decency, fairness and respect."
The Chair of IMB The Verne, Chris Miller, said:
"The period of the current report covers only the first of the three lockdowns which the COVID pandemic has necessitated. During that time, the measures imposed by the Governor, his staff and by CareUK personnel meant that the prison was free of infection.
"The high level of trust established earlier meant that the great majority of prisoners accepted that they would have less time for association and exercise and that family members could not visit. This positive and understanding atmosphere has continued in the current lockdown, even though the prison is no longer COVID free.
"Many of the staff have been obliged to self-isolate. Those who are on duty are working extra hours and doing all they can to maintain a stable regime. After an initial delay, the vaccination of prisoners has followed that of the wider community.
"The Board feels that prison officers, who are daily caring for victims of the virus, should be treated as a priority group in the current phase of vaccination."