Staff at a Cambridgeshire prison are producing 8,000 bottles of hand sanitizer a day to help protect the wider prison service against the COVID-19 outbreak.
Prison officers, instructors, chaplaincy and psychology staff at HMP Littlehey, who continue to deliver an essential frontline service during this challenging time, are going even further by volunteering to produce personal hand sanitizer for use by prison staff across England and Wales.
Governor of HMP Littlehey Sue Doolan said: “I am extremely proud of the team here at HMP Littlehey.
“Staff have continued to do all they can to help beat Covid-19. The care, compassion and dedication I have seen from all staff demonstrates they are truly the ‘hidden heroes.”
It was announced on April 26 that several other sites across the prison service, nationally, would begin producing surgical equipment for healthcare workers during the pandemic, and eight prisons are manufacturing more than 20,000 items for the NHS, including scrubs, scrub bags, goggles and visors.
The Ministry of Justice says the personal protective equipment being produced is considered safe and cost-effective. Sets of scrubs and scrub bags can be manufactured for just £4.98, compared to £15 from some suppliers.
Social distancing measures have been put in place to protect those producing protective equipment.
Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire and Minister of State at the Ministry of Justice said: “The fight against coronavirus requires a national effort and I’m proud to say that our prison staff are continuing to go above and beyond the call of duty.
“I’m delighted that HMP Littlehey is supporting the wider prison service by producing this vital protective equipment that will ultimately help to keep our hard-working and dedicated staff, safe.
“Thank you to all staff across prisons, probation and youth custody for all your tireless work during these extraordinary times.”
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