Stand Up for Jamaica says the death of the female inmate at the South Camp Adult Correctional Centre could have been avoided.

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) confirmed the inmate passed away on Tuesday, February 23, 2021, at the Kingston Public Hospital, after being hospitalized with COVID 19 symptoms on Friday, February 19. INDECOM has been informed of this development and the inmate’s next of kin have been contacted.

A release from the group stated

“The death of an inmate at the South Camp Adult Correctional Facility, from COVID-19, has been very heartbreaking news for Stand Up for Jamaica (SUFJ). Our deepest condolences go out to the family and friends of the inmate. The most heartbreaking thing about this incident is that it could have been avoided if the Ministry of National Security had implemented the things it said it would have done.”

The group has been advocating for the release of low-risk inmates and for several steps to the taken to address the impact of COVID-19 on the correctional system.

“We did not have to reach this point where an inmate has died causing fear and panic to grip the rest of the inmate population. The COVID-19 numbers in our correctional facilities have been exacerbated by the fact that”

The DCS can also confirm that another inmate from the South Camp Facility was admitted to the hospital today with symptoms of COVID – 19.