A situation assessment of multi-stakeholder experiences, prison system preparedness and health, penal and judicial measures taken to mitigate COVID-19 in Malawian and Zimbabwean prisons
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Date
2021-05-12
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Kamuzu University of Health Sciences
Abstract
Study type: This is a qualitative study using Empirical Phenomenological Psychological (EPP) five-step
quality framework.
Problem being studied: Prisons in the sub-Saharan region have been neglected in State COVID-19
responses and state budgeting, with efforts by government limited to prison lockdowns, and early release
schemes, presidential pardoning and amnesties in an effort to reduce congestion. There are reports of
insufficient disease mitigation measures for both staff (testing capacity, personal protective equipment,
sanitation, disinfection) and prisoners alike, leading to prison riots and staff strike actions demanding
hazard pay. Tackling disease in prisons is a human rights and public health imperative, given the bridge of
transmission between prison and community via visitors, legal representatives, staff and prisoners.
Broad objective
The broad objective of the study is to assess the COVID-19 response and level of human rights assurance of
prisoners and staff.
Research Objectives:
Specific objectives
The specific objectives of the study are to:
1. Map and describe international human, health, occupational and gender rights standards applicable
to those living and working in prisons, and WHO/UNODC/UNAIDS/OHCHR technical guidance on
minimum standards of care and working conditions.
2. Conduct a legal realist analysis of domestic prison policies relating to disease response
preparedness, and health, penal and judicial measures taken by the government to mitigate
contagion, especially COVID-19; and the extent to which rights of prisoners and staff are upheld.
3. Explore multi-stakeholder perspectives of the COVID-19 response
Methodogy: The EPP approach to collecting and analysing data focus on the subjective experience, in this
sense the lived experience of COVID-19 in the prison, and adheres to Husserl’s principle of active efforts
to ‘bracket out’ the researchers’ theoretical preunderstanding in the first steps of a text analysis. Data
will be collected from Chichiri central prison in Blantyre, Malawi. Focus group discussions will be
conducted with consenting male and female prisoners and prison warders. Key informant Interviews will
be conducted with prison officers, prison medical officer, legal personnel and other key stakeholders who
work closely with prisons. All interviews will be recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated into English
where required for analysis. In order to ensure scientific rigour, the EPP five-step quality framework will
be used to analyse qualitative and observational data.
Expected results and benefits: We expect to find gaps in adherence to COVID-19 preventive measures and
adherence to standard human rights protocols within the prison setting.These results will help advocate
for adherence to health and human rights standards to prevent populations in these settings from getting
infected with COVID-19.
Dissemination of findings: The findings will be disseminated to study respondents and key stakeholders
through meetings/workshop. Again we intend to share the study findings with COMREC and participants at
scientific conferences either in Malawi or internationally. The results will also be published in a peer
reviewed journal.