The Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as part of its ongoing COVID-19 mitigation plan, has procured thermal scanners to assist with the prevention and/or detection of the virus among staff, inmates and children in its care.

“In light of the growing concern to keep

the virus at bay, the DCS has placed an order for 40 new digital thermal

scanners and delivery is expected within the first week of April. This is a

part of the strategic push to acquire protective gears and body temperature

scanners,” says State Minister in the Ministry of National Security, Senator

Matthew Samuda.

He adds that hand washbasins and hand sanitisers have been placed at the entrance of each facility. “I have organized with my team at the Ministry and senior officials from the DCS, digital meetings to conduct a weekly review of the conditions in each institution, to ensure that our plans are being actualized,” he ended.

The DCS COVID-19 Contingency Plan (CONPLAN)

was approved by senior officials and is being implemented by Director of

Medical Services, Dr. Donna-Michelle Royer-Powe and her medical team at each

institution.

Dr. Powe says sourcing thermal scanners

locally has been a major challenge, however the department should receive

additional supplies from overseas. “We were only able to source two scanners

locally and those were sent to Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre and

Horizon Adult Remand Centre. The Ministry and DCS have identified a source and

as a matter of urgency we should have thermal scanners operational in all our

institutions shortly.”