Chai Brady
The governor of Castlerea Prison has moved to reassure people that using the back of the prison’s chapel as a staff area is a “temporary” measure in order to accommodate social distancing due to the pandemic.
After concerns were raised anonymously to this paper a spokesperson for the prison said there had been some couches and chairs moved into the back of the church in order for staff to comply with social distancing restrictions while a more appropriate space is being sought.
Public church services are currently suspended and the needs of the prison’s faith community are being catered for through a prison tv channel and by other means according to a spokesperson.
“As a temporary measure they are using a little part of the back of the church for staff to go there to unwind from the stress of work,” a spokesman for the prison said.
“The church itself, nothing has changed, it’s still fit for service. There are no positive cases among staff or prisoners at the moment.
“There’s a big emphasis being put on staff social distancing and things like that because that’s the highest risk, staff coming in from the community and obviously bringing it in to the prison. So we’re very adamant to have these measures in place.”
It was confirmed that the Eucharist has been removed from the tabernacle.