Singapore Jails Face Covid‑19 Surge: 169 Inmates Confirmed Positive
The Singapore Prison Service (SPS) announced on Thursday that a total of 169 inmates across the country’s prisons have tested positive for Covid‑19 as of Wednesday. Yes, even the death‑row gang is under the microscope.
Where the Infections Hid
- Institution A1, Changi Prison Complex – 116 inmates tested positive between Nov 6‑10, including those on death row.
- Remaining 53 infections came from:
- Newly admitted inmates who were already sick before stepping foot into the walls.
- Current inmates reporting flu‑like symptoms.
- Supervisees – 54 community‑based inmates tested positive.
- Staff – Nine SPS employees now in the Covid club.
Death Row’s Dilemma
On Tuesday, Malaysian drug trafficker Nagaenthran K. Dharmalingam received a stay on his execution after a Covid test came back positive. The Court of Appeal pushed the deadline (originally Wed 10) back by “just enough” time to let him cough up a few breaths.
What’s Happening Inside the Walls?
- Three supervised inmates are currently in the hospital with symptoms – their condition is stable.
- All inmates and staff are in various stages of recovery – the whole complex is on a slow, steady, “take a breath” recovery plan.
Lockdown and Safety Measures
The SPS has temporarily locked down Institution A1 and ramped up testing for staff, inmates, vendors and volunteers. Face‑to‑face visits were already halted from Oct 4, and restrictions on death‑row visitors have been put in place for now.
- To keep the doors closed but the line of communication open, inmates will receive phone calls instead.
- Family members have been notified and will resume visits once things calm down.
Protecting the Vulnerable
- Elderly and medically vulnerable inmates are now housed with their fully vaccinated counterparts.
- They undergo regular, scheduled testing if they need to stay in medical wards longer.
All in all, while no one’s currently in major rooms on the ward, the situation is being handled with a mix of strict lockdown, vigilant testing, and a dash of compassion – because prison life, like life itself, never stops peaking for the next update.
