Two staff members at Pentonville Prison in north London have died after showing symptoms of coronavirus, the Prison Officers’ Association (POA) has said.<\/p>\n
The men, Bovil Peter and Patrick Beckford, worked as support staff.<\/p>\n
Both are thought to have been in their 60s but it is not known if they had any underlying health conditions, the POA said.<\/p>\n
Chairman Mark Fairhurst said: “My thoughts and prayers are with everybody involved with these tragic deaths.”<\/p>\n
He added: “Two at the same prison is very concerning.”<\/p>\n
Mr Peter was described as “an experienced member of staff” working at operational support grade at the prison, who “died earlier this week due to Covid-19 symptoms”.<\/p>\n
Mr Fairhurst said of Mr Peter’s death: “I just want to highlight the fact that this [coronavirus] puts us all at risk.<\/p>\n
“We are on the front line doing a commendable job on behalf of society and he will be sadly missed by all his colleagues. We wish the best for his family and friends.”<\/p>\n
Staff at the prison are thought to have held a minute’s silence after hearing their colleagues had died within days of each other earlier this week.<\/p>\n
A Prison Service spokesman said: “Our deepest sympathies are with their loved ones and colleagues at this difficult time.”<\/p>\n
Source: bbc.co.uk<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"