2 minute read
COVID-19’s prison breakout must be stopped
from Spring 2021
by NRGPN
In late August 2021, during one of the NSW Government’s media briefings on COVID-19 infections in the community, the Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant, raised grave concerns about the potential impacts of the coronavirus on vulnerable population cohorts. These included – not surprisingly, in the light of an outbreak in largely unvaccinated, Aboriginal communities in western NSW – Indigenous people, as well as the homeless and inmates of the state’s prison system.
Almost on cue, reports began emerging about the detection of 31 cases in Sydney’s Parklea Correctional Centre, others in Silverwater Correctional Complex, the positive testing of six prison officers at Bathurst jail, and possible other breakouts (to use an apt expression) elsewhere.
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So began a flurry of media reporting in which experts raised concerns about the slow implementation of vaccination programs, poor social distancing, and so on. In other words, the same challenges facing policy makers in broader society, writ large because of prison circumstances.
NorDocs clinical editor Dr Andrew Binns maintains that the federal government should act urgently to prevent an outbreak of the Delta strain from having devastating outcomes for vulnerable First Nations and prisoner populations, describing both groups as being significantly at-risk ones who are ‘out-of-sight, out-of-mind’ in our community.
We must not ignore these groups,’ Dr Binns said, noting, ‘We have already seen a released prisoner from Bathurst Jail travel to western NSW with devastating consequences. The need for quicker testing is obvious to avoid such a debacle as this.
‘We know there is a disproportion of Indigenous people in our jails. They often have complex medical histories with past major trauma leading to chronic diseases, including mental health problems, addiction issues, chronic pain and other
`We must not ignore these groups’
- Dr Andrew Binns social disadvantages.
‘Rather than wait for a more serious COVID-19 outbreak there needs to be a concerted effort to avoid such problems. This must include rapid testing and a well organised vaccination program that takes into account existing vaccine hesitancy and resistance.’
Dr Binns added, ‘These complex problems need a rapid and concerted public health approach to avoid the spread of a highly virulent virus in vulnerable cohorts having close links with the broader community.
‘Of particular concern is our Aboriginal population who are suffering as a result of all the social determinants of health along with a rapidly spreading virus. This was seen unfolding in the remote community of Wilcannia in western NSW.
‘This is just the beginning of a major health crisis within our community, and appropriate action must be seen as a priority of the government, which is where the responsibility lies.’
