As the coronavirus cases continue to rise in the country’s prisons, Junior Prison Officers have threatened to down tool if their grievances are not adhered to.

The junior officers have given their authorities up to Monday  July 27, to address concerns over their safety at work amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.

The officers have threatened to withdraw their services if authorities fail to address their grievances by the set deadline.

This comes amidst reports of an upsurge in Covid-19 cases in the country’s prisons, with Chichiri prison alone registering over 50 cases, as of yesterday.

Among others, the prisoners in a memo addressed to their management are demanding risk allowances, adequate supply of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), mass screening of all officers and inmates as well as decongestion of prisons through pardons.

Meanwhile, Chichiri, Mzimba and Nkhata Bay prisons have confirmed cases of coronavirus.