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An inmate in one of the country's correctional facilities has been using salt and bleach as protection from the dreaded COVID-19 virus that has claimed 120 lives since it was discovered in Jamaica eight months ago.

The inmate, Mark*, who is serving a double-digit sentence, is fearful of contracting the respiratory virus that has infected more than a dozen prisoners so far.

"A my likkle remedy dat now, because right now yuh just have to do everything to stay alive," THE STAR heard that Mark said.

"Mi nuh waah dead in yah, so mi just mix up di bleach with salt and use it likkle likkle to disinfect whe mi sleep. More time di man dem laugh after me and ask if a frog mi a kill, but mi nuh pay dem no mind. Mi fraid a COVID bad, because mi see it a kill off people and mi already do close to seven years a my time already, so mi a make sure mi nuh dead in yah."

External visits to the country's prison facilities have been suspended by the Department of Correctional Services as part of its attempts to stem the spread of COVID-19. The department said that all the positive test cases are placed in isolation and contact-tracing and line-listing activities are conducted. This, however, is said to be little comfort to another inmate, John*.

Bringing new inmates

"I am doing all I can to keep safe, but it's hard. The officers don't have enough gears to deal with an outbreak, and they need to stop bringing new inmates in the prison, because it is within that movement that the virus spreads the most," he reportedly said.

Tom*, another inmate, reportedly said that some prison officials look out for them and make sure they are okay.

"But some a dem nuh have no care in the world. Is like dem nuh understand say if we get sick, dem naturally a go get sick, too," Tom said. "We nah get nuh visit, enuh, and is not like we going anywhere, so a dem and other staff a carry di pandemic in here to kill we off."

Senator Matthew Samuda, minister without portfolio in the Ministry of National Security, said that new measures relating to the most vulnerable inmates could be announced this week. Maxine, whose brother is behind bars, is hoping that the announcement will include a lifting of the ban on visitors.

"Not every family member have money to put on account, and it is easier for us to just supply the items," she said.

Relatives are also allowed to make deposits to their loved ones' tuck shop card of no more than $20,000 per inmate for each month.

"Right now my brother cannot go to the tuck shop because him nuh have no ticket books to go there. Mi long to see him, and mi know him suppose to waah underpants and dem tings there. COVID isn't going anywhere any time soon, and the Government will not be able to provide everything, so allow the family members to do what they can," she said.

*name changed to protect identity