High COVID-19 death rates in prisons in England and Wales, and the need for early vaccination

Braithwaite, Isobel; Edge, Chantal; Lewer, Dan; Hard, Jake

doi:10.1016/s2213-2600(21)00137-5

Cited by 36 publications

(79 citation statements)

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“…Respondents started receiving vaccinations in February 2021, based on age. Against medical advice to prioritize prisoners and staff en masse as high risk groups ( Siva 2020 ) and vaccinate them all concurrently ( Edge et al 2021 ), the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation opted to vaccinate prisoners ‘in step with the general UK prioritization criteria, based on age and presence of long-term conditions’, despite difficulties in identifying eligible people in prisons ( Braithwaite et al 2021 : 1).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These predictions have been borne out in prisons around the world, with infection and death rates in custody far higher than in the community ( Byrne et al 2020 b : 894). Thus, in England and Wales, between March 2020 and February 2021, the COVID-19 death rate among prisoners was 3.3 times higher than among people of the same age and gender in the general population ( Braithwaite et al 2021 : 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

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Locked up While Locked Down: Prisoners’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Suhomlinova

Ayres

Tonkin

et al. 2021

The British Journal of Criminology

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Worldwide, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on prisoners. The prison environment and prisoner health put prison populations at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19. As a result, prison systems have adopted mitigation strategies to reduce the transmission of the virus into and within prisons. These strategies, however, have had an unintended impact on prisoners and their living conditions. In this article, we explore prisoners’ lived experiences of the pandemic in English and Welsh prisons, captured through correspondence with prisoners throughout 12 months of regime restrictions, from April 2020 to April 2021. Drawing on prisoner narratives, the analysis reveals how the restricted regime has exacerbated the pains of imprisonment and had a detrimental impact on prisoners.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Locked up While Locked Down: Prisoners’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Suhomlinova

Ayres

Tonkin

et al. 2021

The British Journal of Criminology

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“…Between March 2020 and February 2021, there were 121 deaths related to COVID-19 (Braithwaite et al 2021). This death rate is 3.3 times higher compared to people of the same age and gender in the general population, showing that being in prison exacerbates the effects of COVID-19 (Braithwaite et al 2021). In addition to deaths caused by the virus, the 23 h a day lock-up will have a knock-on effect on people's mental health and self-harm rates.…”

Section: Covid-19 Prison Deathsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, they have been described as "petri dishes" 3 for infection; people in prison have limited access to face masks and other protective gear, and social distancing is difficult for people sharing a cell. The measurements implemented in English prisons included the requirement for prisoners to remain in their cells for 23 out of 24 h a day (Braithwaite et al 2021). Between March 2020 and February 2021, there were 121 deaths related to COVID-19 (Braithwaite et al 2021).…”

Section: Covid-19 Prison Deathsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The measurements implemented in English prisons included the requirement for prisoners to remain in their cells for 23 out of 24 h a day (Braithwaite et al 2021). Between March 2020 and February 2021, there were 121 deaths related to COVID-19 (Braithwaite et al 2021). This death rate is 3.3 times higher compared to people of the same age and gender in the general population, showing that being in prison exacerbates the effects of COVID-19 (Braithwaite et al 2021).…”

Section: Covid-19 Prison Deathsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dying in the Margins: A Literature Review on End of Life in English Prisons

Visser

2021

Religions

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This paper explores dying in English prisons. Whilst often conflated, death and dying are conceptually different. While there is increased attention given to the investigation of deaths in custody, and the impact of prison deaths on healthcare staff and custodial staff, little attention has been paid to the experience of dying people themselves. Post-death investigations tell us little about dying experiences of the dying. This paper reviewed the literature on dying in English prisons and highlights this clear gap in knowledge. Four types of dying will be discussed in this paper: (1) suicide, (2) dying in older age, (3) deaths post-release, and (4) COVID-19 deaths. The importance of providing good end-of-life care and palliative care in prison is acknowledged in the literature, but this only shows awareness of the needs of a particular part of the prison population. To understand the complexities and nuances of dying in prison, all voices need to be included in research, otherwise what is left post-death of a person who died in prison is a Fatal Incidence Report. More empirical research is needed to illuminate the diversity of prison deaths and the lived reality of those dying behind locked doors.

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