ABSTRACT
The Covid-19 pandemic was, and continues to be, managed by prevention measures based on limited contact in public spaces and general restrictions on freedom of movement. The question arose as to how infection prevention strategies can be adapted to contexts such as that of the judicial system, particularly prisons. To investigate this, the Swiss National Science Foundation funded a project to analyse institutional strategies to implement prevention measures concerning the Covid-19 pandemic. Surveys were conducted in closed and open institutions of the judicial system across Switzerland, as well as in external residential and work settings, to document successful strategies and identify certain problems. © 2020 Kriminologie. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
The COVID-19 pandemic was, and is, managed by prevention measures, based on limited contact in public spaces and general restrictions on freedom of movement. Especially social distancing needs space. So the question was investigated: How social distancing was implemented within the prison system? Reducing overcrowding and suspending prison sentences, are regarded as key elements in combating the pandemic in the justice system. Which further prevention measures could be concretely implemented in Swiss prisons to contain the pandemic? Which conditions as a framework were necessary for reaching this? To investigate this, the Swiss National Science Foundation funded a project for an analysis of institutional strategies in the implementation of prevention measures concerning the COVID-19 pandemic in prisons. Surveys were conducted in closed and open institutions of the judicial system across Switzerland, as well as in external residential and work settings, to document successful strategies and identify certain problems.