Covid-19: Prisoners and Children in Custody

Baroness Finlay of Llandaff Excerpts

Wednesday 16th December 2020 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Finlay of Llandaff (CB) [V]]

My Lords, are the Government systematically monitoring strains of the virus in prisons to detect mutations through all prison healthcare staff who are appropriately trained and resourced to monitor Covid—with swabs sent for PCR and genetic analysis sampling—and trained to manage sick prisoners adequately, including in oxygen monitoring and pointers to needing hospital and possible intensive care transfer?

[Baroness Scott of Bybrook (Con)]

I am afraid I cannot give that much detail to the noble Baroness. All I can say is that we are testing and using PPE more and more in prisons. I will write to the noble Baroness about the specific issues that she raised.