Originally published by EyeWitness News on 15/04/2020

Summary

Bahamas’ sole prison, the Fox Hill Road facility, has been on lockdown since mid-March after Bahamas recorded its first COVID-19 case. At this time all visitations, commissary and public activities are suspended.While the prison provides inmates with basic food and water, family and friends typically provide prisoners with funds so that prisoners can order additional or different food and water, personal hygiene items, and other goods. However, because of COVID-19, the public is unable to transfer additional funds to prisoners. Therefore, prisoners with low or no funds are unable to buy additional and sometimes essential food and goods.In addition, there are allegations from prisoners and their families that even prisoners with funds are not able to access necessary goods because there is low stock at the prison’s commissary. This is particularly problematic for prisoners with special diets or needs.