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Guidance for the Management of Deaths of Prisoners/Detainees during the Covid-19 Outbreak
This guidance document is primarily designed to assist governors/directors and IRC managers who are required to manage the death of a prisoner/detainee during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
This guidance has been developed to ensure that:
• The deceased and the bereaved families of the deceased are treated with sensitivity, dignity and respect;
• Staff working in prisons are protected from infection;
• Support for staff and prisoners/detainees following a death is managed effectively;
• Processes around preservation of evidence and information remain in place; and
• Reporting and investigation procedures are understood and followed.
This guidance remains under review and may be updated in line with the changing situation as required.
Public Health England (PHE) published guidance on managing the deceased with suspected or confirmed Covid-19 cases on the 31st March 2020. This document takes the main issues to note from that guidance related to operational management in prisons. The original guidance can be found at on GOV.UK.