Jail lockdown in Portlaoise to stem Covid-19 outbreak as mass testing reveals cases in double digits Up 1,000 prisoners and staff to be tested in a new round at Midlands Prison Reporter: '); A restricted regime is in force at Ireland's biggest jail in Portlaoise in a bid to control the spread of Covid-19 following confirmation that 10 prisoners have tested positive for the virus at the Midlands Prison. The news was confirmed in a statement issued on Saturday evening February 20 following the completion of mass testing. "The Irish Prison Service can confirm that following the completion of first-round mass testing in the Midlands Prison, 10 positive cases of Covid-19 have been confirmed amongst the prisoner population.