Justice Ministry Get the Boot for COVID in Chinese Prisons
On Monday, a senior officer at China’s Ministry of Justice slammed local law‑enforcement for the spike in coronavirus cases inside prisons. The official, Xiong Xuanguo, deputy minister, pointed to lapses in disease‑control as the root cause of the 555 infections reported—though thankfully no deaths were recorded.
What’s the Deal?
Across the country, the same outbreak that killed more than 2,700 people and infected over 78,000 on the mainland has now hit incarceration facilities. Xiong warned that the spread of the virus exposed serious gaps in prison management and the overall prevention strategy.
Inside the Prisons
- In Wuhan’s women’s jail, the penitentiary is just 100 m from a state‑run hospital, and both share a bus stop.
- Guangzhou’s East‑zone jails (in Shandong and Zhejiang) saw inmates who hadn’t even reported contact with staff from Hubei province.
“Our police officers across all levels failed to report the truth,” Xiong admonished at a State Council press event.
Why It Matters
He emphasized that hidden transmissions in prisons could be another rumor‑worthy risk that needs tightening. The minister’s call is a clear sign that the government is aiming to tighten accountability and improve health safeguards—especially in high‑density settings where a single mistake can ripple out.
Summing It Up
Xiong’s rights‑to‑truth remark is a blow for local officials, and a reminder that even behind bars, transparency is the best antidote to a pandemic. For more on how the outbreak’s getting handled, stay tuned to official updates.
