Government has approved risk allowance for prison officers as cases continue to surge in the country’s prisons.

According to a Memo seen by this publication the treasury has approved payment of Coronavirus risk allowance to some grades of the department.

Sergeants, Sub-Inspectors and Inspectors are the grades considered to be receiving the approved risk allowance.

According to the memo, the officers will receive be receiving K50. 000 for a period of three months.

“I write to inform you that the treasury has approved payment of risk allowance to some grades to prison officers for a period of 3 months,” reads the memo.

This development came after junior prison officers threaten to down tool if their grievances were not heard.

According to Prison Spokesperson Chimwemwe Shaba, over 130 prisoners and 21 prison officers have tested positive for Covid-19.