FEARFUL PRISON OFFICERS STAGE PROTEST
About 40 prison officers downed tools this morning, March 22, protesting the endangerment of their health and lives and those of the inmates, as well.
The workers say they have not been given the required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) with which to work, despite an outbreak of COVID-19 at Her Majesty’s Prison, where some 32 inmates tested positive.
Speaking to REAL News on Monday morning, a female prison officer says there are no proper protocols at the penal facility and no proper leadership in place to run its affairs.
The prison officers say they continue asking to be tested, just like the inmates, but their request is yet to be fulfilled.
Reportedly, only a few officers have been tested, to date, including those who fell sick and were taken to the hospital with COVID-19 symptoms. Of these, three officers have reportedly tested positive for the virus.
This figure was quoted to the prison officers; however, they countered that at least a half dozen officers have contracted the illness.
Meanwhile, a male officer is very disgruntled that, despite not having proper PPE’s, the guards are still expected to take charge of those inmates who have tested positive for COVID-19.
In the meantime, the disgruntled prison officers have pledged to continue their action until their concerns are addressed. They say many of these have been outstanding since last March.
