FACE-to-face visits at Winchester prison have restarted following a drop in Covid cases weeks after precautionary measures were put in place.

On November 23 a Covid outbreak was declared following an increase in cases across some of its wings. On November 30 and December 1, The West Hill and the Hearn units, which hold Category C prisoners, were declared as outbreak sites.

In order to bring the outbreak under control and to prevent further spread of Covid the decision was made to cancel all face-to-face visits to those in the affected areas. The prison reported yesterday (Monday) that these visits have now started again, but no contact between visitors and inmates is allowed.

The prison tweeted: “Covid controls seem to be working. No. of cases dropping as days go by. Face to face visits (no contact sorry) back on and other activities running in a Covid safe way. Omicron looms large so longer term remains uncertain. Policy remains: Do as much as we can as safely as we can.”

Earlier this month governor James Bourke published a letter on the social media platform explaining the Covid measures in place.

The letter went on to say: “We apologise for the upset and distress this may cause however the safety of all who live and work here is our priority and we had to take on board advice from the Health Security Agency (formally Public Health England), NHS commissioners and national prison service guidance through the Outbreak Control meetings.”