Breaking News: All prison visits postponed until May 15, 2020. According to the latest announcement from the Ministry of Justice, all visitation procedures in prisons have been postponed until May 15, 2020. The Ministry states that every form of contact—including visits between prisons, transfers, and family room meetings—has been deferred until that date.
In a written statement, the Ministry of Justice said it has implemented measures as part of coronavirus precautions. The statement lists the specific measures put in place and confirms that they remain effective through May 15, 2020. The measures postponed until that date are as follows.
What Coronavirus Measures Has the Ministry of Justice Implemented in Prisons?
The Ministry of Justice’s recent announcement outlines the coronavirus measures enacted for prisons. The measures currently in effect are described below.
- All visits in open and closed correctional facilities, including lawyer visits, are postponed until May 15.
- Outside-work programs and activities that allow inmates contact with the outside world—such as working outside the institution, restaurants, social facilities, and external canteens—are suspended until May 15.
- Special leave rights for inmates in open prisons are suspended until May 15.
- Group activities involving multiple wards are suspended until May 15.
- Inter-institutional transfers between correctional facilities are postponed until May 15, except in cases of illness or security concerns.
- The use of family visiting rooms in prisons, detention centers, and juvenile care homes is suspended until May 15.
- Attendance of children aged 0–6 who reside with their mothers in prisons at daycare and kindergarten, and the practice of handing children over to parents or relatives outside the facility, are suspended until May 15.
The items listed above summarize the temporary restrictions applied in prisons as coronavirus precautions through May 15, 2020. However, the Ministry also notes that visits may be allowed in certain necessary circumstances when protective measures are in place.
- Visits by relatives of detainees and convicts may be permitted in mandatory cases upon the decision of the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.
- Lawyers may conduct in-person closed visits in urgent situations, provided they take protective measures such as wearing masks and gloves.