Corrective Services is taking steps to minimise the impact COVID-19 is having on its custodial estate.
The Agency has rolled out a series of measures aimed at protecting those in its care as well as the staff who look after them.
In a statement, Corrective Services said screening was in place for new prisoners, while non-essential movement in and out of facilities had been reduced.
“Social visits to prisons, the Prison Employment Program, Reintegration Leave and a variety of Section 95 community, charitable and voluntary work have been temporarily suspended,” Corrective Services said.
“Official and legal visits are conducted via phone where possible and essential face-to-face meetings are conducted under social distancing rules.”
It said that during the crisis prisoners had access to free phone calls and were encouraged to access additional free mail allowances each week to maintain contact with family and friends.
“Minimum security prisoners who would normally be involved in community work are performing duties on site where possible, while others are being involved in new projects, creating items to be sent out to the community,” it said.
“A strict increased cleaning routine has been implemented in all custodial facilities and extra education for both staff and prisoners around cough and sneeze etiquette and extensive hand hygiene has been provided.”
The Agency said the changes were part of a wider plan to ensure the health and safety of those in the care of the Department of Justice, Corrective Services and its staff.
