Almost 1,000 prison officers have gone into self-isolation and some security procedures may have to be halted if there are staff shortages amid the coronavirus outbreak, it is understood. Prison cell searches and drug tests for inmates might be scrapped in a bid to cope with absences during the crisis. Some 900 prison officers were off work and self-isolating on Thursday, the PA news agency understands. The number of prison officers off work rose on Friday, sources told the BBC. Two inmates at HMP Kilmarnock in Scotland have also tested positive for the virus, it was revealed on Thursday.

Source: Daily Mail March 21, 2020 01:49 UTC