The Ghana Prisons Service administration has assured officers and inmates it is putting in place the necessary measures to keep them safe from the Coronavirus pandemic.

In an interview with GhanaWeb, Chief Public Relations Officer of the service, Supt. Courage Atsem noted that adequate arrangements are being made to prevent the spread of the pandemic in Ghana’s prisons.

“The prisons administration wishes to assure all officers, inmates, relatives of inmates and the general public that adequate arrangements are being made to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus in all prison facilities,” he said.

Among the steps being taken by the prisons service, he said, is the suspension of contact visits in prisons, be it personal, groups and even churches.

“Items will be collected at the gate lodge, in the presence of the receiving inmates… all officers who have physical contact with inmates and visitors are also entreated to wear nose masks and gloves,” he added.

Supt. Atsem also noted that some cells will soon be designated for isolation of suspected cases in the various prisons while the leave of health personnel within the service have been suspended till further notice.

He further urged all officers and prisoners to follow directions given by the Ghana Health service by regularly washing their hands with soap and running water as well us make good use of the sanitizers being made available to the various prisons.

“All are therefore urged not to panic but rather entreated to observe strict adherence to the measures put in place and any other further directive that may be issued from time to time,” He stated.

Meanwhile all new inmates will be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine before merged with other inmates.