Keeping Belize Central Prison COVID-Free Through CARICOM IMPACS

Virgilio Murillo

Across the Caribbean, there have been concerns raised about the state of prisoners amid the COVID-19 pandemic which can have disastrous effects due to the congested facilities.  While Belize has no recorded cases of the disease at the central prison, there remains frequent correspondence among managing authorities at various facilities across the region.  CARICOM IMPACS, as it is known, seeks to address those concerns.

Virgilio Murillo, C.E.O., Kolbe Foundation

“The only new development that I know is that right after that presentation I was informed by my counterparts that Suriname, I think two days later, experienced forty-two cases of the COVID virus in their prison and I think Trinidad yesterday discovered their first one in their prison.  I think they are in pretty much mitigating mode right now, trying to prevent the spread now.  Mitigate the spread of you want to call it that.  Aside from that, I think we shared ideas, I shared ideas with them, they shared ideas with us and we are now in a better position to understand what needs to be done and that is why we are very strict with COVID-19 measures for these visitors that you saw just a while ago.  We’re strict to the point that if anybody is not wearing their mask properly, I have instructed the guards to cancel their visit automatically.  They need to take this thing seriously.”