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The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times
National
Lanie Tindale

'Extraordinary achievement': COVID-19 outbreak at Canberra jail contained

In an "extraordinary achievement", the COVID-19 outbreak at Canberra's jail has been contained despite 57 inmates testing positive.

An inmate at the Alexander Maconochie Centre first tested positive to COVID-19 on May 7.

By May 17, the justice directorate believed around half of total jail population could have been exposed to the virus.

However, the directorate said the outbreak was confined to only three male accommodation units which hold a maximum of 89 people.

No one from the jail was hospitalised or died from the virus, despite no vaccine mandate and a higher population of vulnerable people.

Detainees were also allowed to bunk with positive inmates if they wanted to.

The directorate also said no staff members were knowingly infected by the outbreak.

They said inmates are now able to have in-person visits from family and wellbeing services.

ACT Corrective Services Commissioner Ray Johnson said containing the outbreak was "an extraordinary achievement".

"I want to commend the efforts of staff within the [jail] and Canberra Health Services who have worked effectively to stop the spread of the virus whilst ensuring well-being and support services to detainees continued. It has been an extraordinary achievement," he said.

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The Alexander Maconochie Centre before it first opened in 2016. Picture: Jay Cronan
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