Depopulation or vaccination? Tackling the COVID-19 crisis in prisons in Africa

Abstract

Several attempts have been made by the global public health efforts and national governments to contain the spread and vulnerabilities to COVID-19. Evidence, however, shows a disproportionate upsurge in COVID-19 cases in correctional facilities such as prisons, particularly, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The poor adherence to COVID-19 preventive protocols in these settings has raised a serious “moral panic” among the public. There are public health concerns about the most effective and state-of-the-art approach to tackling the continuous spread of the virus in prisons. This paper discusses the feasibility of depopulation and vaccination rollouts in combating COVID-19 in correctional facilities with a particular focus on African prisons. The paper proposes selective and strategic depopulation of prisoners, effective prioritization of vaccination among prisoners, and general sensitization of prisoners toward vaccine disbursement in this total institution.

COVID-19 vaccine express strategy in Malawi: An effort to reach the un-reach

“…However, in African countries (like Malawi), the fragmented healthcare system was the main reason hindering the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine [12] . Slum-dwellers, residents of semi-urban and rural areas, daily wager, divorced, widowed, prisoners, and drug addicts are more vaccine-hesitant as belonging to a partly excluded social group negatively affected the COVID19 vaccination [7] , [12] , [13] , [14] (approaching this group at their place might have built a sense of inclusiveness resulting in increased vaccination uptake in CVE). The high hesitancy is due to mistrust in the government, lack of confidence in the vaccine's efficacy and the integrity of the providers, anti-vaccine campaigns on social media, religious beliefs, and socioeconomic status [13] (Communication strategy adopted by CVE had overcome these issues of vaccine hesitancy)…”

Improving health-seeking behaviours of older adults in urban Africa: A holistic approach and strategic initiatives

“…Additionally, some older adults may experience social isolation or encounter challenges in accessing information, thereby complicating awareness of health care services [ 13 ]. In some areas of urban Africa, health care infrastructure may still be deficient or inadequate, particularly in some disaster-burdened countries like Somalia, Burundi, Mali, the Central African Republic, Niger, Eritrea, and Togo [ 12 , 14 , 15 ]. Also, even when health insurance programmes are in place, the quality and accessibility of health care facilities may not satisfy the needs of older persons, forcing them to be hesitant to seek medical care [ 16 ].…”

Coping strategies of the incarcerated during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review protocol of quantitative and qualitative evidence

“…16 Offenders and service providers had to deal with stress-related factors such as getting vaccinated, losing a loved one or not seeing their loved ones and isolation. [17][18][19][20] Researchers maintain that high levels of stress, anxiety, emotional breakdowns and depression are especially likely when a loved one is diagnosed with COVID-19. [21][22][23] In the USA, a study conducted on family member incarceration and coping strategies described how incarcerated populations failed to cope during COVID-19, 24 which affected their well-being.…”

“…COVID-19 regulations perpetuated the situation, and contributed to offenders’ experiencing somatic illnesses (physical pain and shortness of breath, which led to major distress) 16. Offenders and service providers had to deal with stress-related factors such as getting vaccinated, losing a loved one or not seeing their loved ones and isolation 17–20. Researchers maintain that high levels of stress, anxiety, emotional breakdowns and depression are especially likely when a loved one is diagnosed with COVID-19 21–23.…”