The Inmate Friends and Family Committee expressed its dismay at the recent notification of the transfer of 65 inmates from Florida state penal institutions to the federal prison in Puerto Rico, six of whom have tested positive for COVID-19.
This was denounced by the doctor and spokesperson of the Committee, Milagros S. Rivera Watterson, clarifying that although it is not customary to make statements about federal inmates “because they are outside our jurisdiction, which are state penal institutions, this matter cannot stop worrying us” .
Rivera Watterson emphasized that the Committee recognizes that the measures implemented in the country by the Department of Correction and Rehabilitation through a strict protocol have been successful since during this long quarantine there have only been three positive cases of the coronavirus and it has been among the summary population.
“Of these three inmates, unfortunately, one died and is undergoing an autopsy. Immediately the authorities took the necessary isolation measures so that the virus was not transmitted to the rest of the prison population, “said the spokeswoman, acknowledging that this has been a responsible attitude.
On the contrary, he added, what happened in the federal prison “creates not only dismay, but also doubts about what protocol will be followed in the face of the positive findings.”
“Without a doubt, these transfers, if they continue to be repeated, can create a serious problem in the federal prison that could spread to ours because these inmates, if they need treatment, would do so at the Correctional Hospital located in Bayamón, which is under our control. jurisdiction. This could mean that if the number of cases increases, it constitutes an overload on the system that with (time) becomes unmanageable ”, Rivera Watterson questioned.
The spokesperson called for the intervention of all the necessary authorities “so that these transfers immediately cease.” In addition, she asked Governor Wanda Vázquez Garced to speak out about these transfers and request their immediate cessation.
“Only with proactive actions will we avoid a greater evil,” Rivera Watterson concluded, asking that action be taken in time.
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