ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Portugal maintained the humanistic approach that characterises its criminal justice system. As early as April 2020, Parliament passed a law providing exceptional measures to prevent the spread of the virus inside prisons. These included a combination of pardons and long-term prison leave subject to the obligation to remain at home. The release of inmates made space available inside prison facilities, which was crucial to allow for the separation of vulnerable inmates and the isolation of infected inmates or suspected cases. Inside prisons, contacts with the outside world were restricted. Some compensatory measures were adopted, such as allowing more telephone calls. The restrictions were progressively withdrawn, as procedures were adopted that ensured more safety. Some outbreaks occurred in a few prisons, but all inmates have recovered. There have been no deaths from COVID-19 in the Portuguese prisons.
