LABORATORIES FOR CORONAVIRUS TESTING WERE OPENED AT THE FPS HOSPITALS IN RUSSIA

In connection with the spread of a new coronavirus infection the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia takes all necessary measures aimed to protect inmates and employees of the penal system.

49 laboratories have opened up in the territorial bodies of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for testing suspects, accused, convicted persons, as well as employees for a new coronavirus infection.

Two laboratories are currently operating in Moscow on the basis of the hospital № 77 of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia and the Main Center of State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance of the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia. Currently, over 1,400 tests for coronavirus have already been done. Such tests are carried out in Rospotrebnadzor's facilities for territorial bodies of the FPS of Russia that do not have their own laboratories.

Due to the increase in the number of cases in various Russian regions, special conditions have been introduced in the territorial bodies of the FPS of Russia. The acceptance of parcels and other deliveries has been suspended prior to a special order. Transportation of suspects, accused and convicted for judicial proceedings and investigation procedures is not carried out, the long and short-term personal visits are suspended. However, convicts serving sentences of imprisonment do not lose contact with their relatives, video calls are organized in the facilities.

Despite the introduction of strict restrictive measures, the Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia fully respects the rights of detained persons. A special procedure for visiting the FPS's facilities by lawyers, investigators, and defenders has been introduced. It includes communication through glass partitions and the use of personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, etc.).

In addition, in the territorial bodies where the special conditions regime operates, the reception of under investigation persons is carried out by the only one pre-trial detention center, what allows to minimize their contacts. Their quarantine period has been increased to 21 days.

Additional disinfection measures including the use of modern bactericidal agents and irradiators are carried out at all facilities of the penitentiary system. Personnel are given personal protective equipment - masks for respiratory protection, gloves, and disinfectants. The health units that operate around the clock are provided with the necessary supply of medicines.

Medical staff doubled the number of visits and examinations. At the first stroke of a respiratory disease among suspects, accused, convicted persons, laboratory tests for coronavirus are mandatory.

All these strict measures are dictated by the exceptional need to protect suspects, accused and convicted persons from infection in prisons.

To date, not a single case of coronavirus infection among suspects, accused and convicted has been detected. The situation remains stable and manageable in all facilities of the penal system. The round-the-clock monitoring and control of it is carried out by the operational headquarters of the FPS central office and its units in territorial bodies.