Outbreak of tuberculosis at Hunts Bay police lockup

There is an outbreak of tuberculosis at the Hunts Bay Police Station lockup, which is on the same compound as the St Andrew South Police Divisional Headquarters that polices some of the toughest crime-ridden communities in the capital.

Several court cases were postponed after judges in the parish and the Supreme Court were informed that the prisoners who are housed at the Hunts Bay lockup were not being moved due to the outbreak of tuberculosis there.

The Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has issued a release saying it is working alongside the health authorities to manage an ongoing health situation within the St Andrew South Division.

“We wish to reassure the public that all necessary measures are being implemented to contain the situation and ensure the safety of all involved. Since August of this year, we have been managing a confirmed outbreak of tuberculosis (TB) among inmates at the Hunts Bay lockup,” the release said.

The statement added that upon detection, all established public health protocols were swiftly enacted. Infected inmates were immediately placed in isolation, and medical professionals were engaged to lead the response. All JCF personnel who came into contact with the affected individuals were also isolated and provided with the required personal protective equipment.

The JCF said the St Andrew South divisional management team has been collaborating closely with the Public Health Officer and staff from the South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA), the National Chest Hospital, and the relevant authorities at the St Andrew Parish Court, to manage and mitigate the spread of TB.

Currently, there are seven inmates receiving treatment at the Hunts Bay lockup, while an additional five are undergoing treatment at hospital under  police guard.

The divisional management team is said to be adhering strictly to the advice provided by medical professionals to ensure the well-being of all the detainees and staff.

“As part of our precautionary measures, infected inmates are kept entirely separate from the general detainee population to prevent further spread of the illness. There have been no transfers into or out of the Hunts Bay facility since the initial detection of TB cases,” the release said.

 “We have also been engaging with the St Andrew Parish Court to facilitate court appearances for affected inmates through secure online platforms, such as Zoom, to further limit the risk of exposure,” the release noted.

The JCF said it remains committed to transparency, safety and the health of all those in their care, and will continue to work diligently with its partners to navigate the situation responsibly.

“We urge the public to remain calm as we implement all necessary measures to protect both the detainee population and the wider community,” the release concluded.