„They didn’t go in to die” – prisoners are afraid but will not receive vaccine yet

When almost all nursing homes became infected last year, it was very clear how easily the virus got a hold over an indoor space. That applies to prisons and jails as well. The only difference: they are not considered as much of a priority by the state.

Although a visit ban is in place due to the isolation, there is a chance that the virus will enter and infect these communities through the staff, despite precautions. In addition, several studies have shown that inmates have a

worse state of health and a weaker immune system

compared to society as a whole. Prisoners, their relatives, and advocacy organisations also want to know when inmates and staff will be vaccinated. They do not want special treatment, only information.

According to the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, the vaccination of prison staff and prisoners should precede people under the age of 60 who do not suffer from a chronic illness. This would prevent prisons from becoming a hotbed for covid. In Hungary, 17-18 thousand detainees and 8-9 thousand staff would have to be vaccinated.

“It would be foolish and discriminatory if the vaccination of inmates did not conform to the general vaccination schedule of the population, […] It is not part of their custodial sentence or employment contract that the state deprives them even of the opportunity to be vaccinated, their fundamental rights to health or even life, ”

says the NGO.

However, the relatives are increasingly worried. As they put it:

“They didn’t go in to die.”

Of course, it is difficult to imagine that the Hungarian government, which has also found it difficult to vaccinate teachers and has previously disputed the compensation that has been rightly awarded to convicts for poor prison conditions, will openly take such a step.

To 444.hu’s questions regarding whether a national coronavirus vaccination plan for personnel and detainees has been prepared and on what schedule the vaccination of detainees will take place, the National Command for Penitentiary Enforcement (BvOP) wrote:

“The penitentiary organisation shall act in accordance with the provisions of the document informing inhabitants about the order of vaccination.”

However, neither the booklet on the NNK’s website nor the vaccination plan previously sent to 444 contains a single word about detainees, so it is incomprehensible what the authority is actually referring to.

If prisoners were to be vaccinated as part of the general population, those over the age of 65 and the chronically ill would have had to be prioritised. Not only have no prisoners been vaccinated, but the information on vaccination is more than incomplete.

In this regard, the BvOP wrote to 444:

“In all cases, we strive to adhere to the recommended safety distance. If for some reason this cannot be ensured, additional preventive measures, […], will prevent possible transmissions.”

They also wrote that detainees are screened and their health is constantly monitored, but this is not true either. According to 444’s sources, only symptomatic inmates get basic checkups and temperature checks.

The atmosphere in the prison institutions has become noticeably tenser as well. Increased fighting between the prisoners might be caused by the ban on visits and the uncertainty caused by receiving only minimal information about the virus situation and how to deal with it.

It would be helpful for them to talk to the pastor or prison psychologist about their frustration.

“We avoid programs involving larger groups in both services, but small group and individual sessions are regular. Individual meetings of detainees are also available on request. In cases requiring emergency care, we provide services out of turn, ”

wrote the BvOP (National Command for Penitentiary Enforcement).

According to the Hungarian Helsinki Committee, the situation in the prison around vaccination and epidemiological restrictions is unclear, although open communication could reassure detainees and relatives to some extent.

The organisation would consider it reasonable to allow, on an individual basis, for at least those who are serving their sentence under more lenient enforcement rules and are eligible for vaccination due to chronic illness and age risks to leave the prison until they are vaccinated.

Featured image: illustration

Source: 444.hu