Three inmates die from COVID-19 in Turkey, 17 others infected

Three inmates in Turkey’s open prisons have died from COVID-19, while 17 others were diagnosed with the virus, Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül said April 13. All cases were in “open prisons” where inmates aren’t held in cells, with no cases seen in other correctional facilities, Gül noted.

Duvar English

Three inmates have died from the coronavirus in Turkey’s open prisons, while 17 have tested positive for the disease, Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül said April 13. 

Gül noted that all of the cases were detected in open prisons, where inmates are not kept in cells and are instead allowed to work, and that no inmates were diagnosed with COVID-19 in Turkey’s closed prisons. 

“13 of the 14 hospitalized inmates are doing well. One inmate who has a chronic illness is in the intensive care unit,” Gül said.

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The minister also noted that 14 judges and prosecutors had tested positive for COVID-19, as well as 32 courthouse employees and 79 employees of correctional facilities. 

“Justice can’t have isolation. There are no breaks in Justice,” Gül said.

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