Prisoners at high risk of contracting coronavirus in Tasmania are being denied access to hand sanitiser, a prominent Barrister and advocate claims.
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Tasmanian Prisoners Legal Service chairman Greg Barns made the claim after the state government announced it would temporarily suspend personal prison visits because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Coronavirus: All the latest updates on COVID-19 for Tasmania
"Simply blocking visits makes a bad situation worse, it will increase the likelihood of self-harm," Mr Barns said.
"You've got a position where prison regulations say that sanitiser is contraband and therefore not available. You couldn't think of a higher risk environment."
Mr Barns again called on the government to release high-risk elderly prisoners, those who have serious health conditions, non-violent offenders and those on remand who have not been in prison before.
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It is understood additional health and sanitary provisions - such as soap - were provided to prisoners and sanitiser had been used for illicit purposes in the past.
Attorney-General Elise Archer said the safety, security and health of staff, prisoners and visitors was a priority for the government.
