A wing at HMP Bristol was reported to be under lockdown after Covid-19 cases, a court heard today.
But a spokeswoman for the MOJ confirmed there was no major outbreak at the jail, other than "one or two" cases.
Lawrence Weston man Garnett Medley was due to appear before Bristol Crown Court today. (Nov 13)
The 21-year-old, of Long Cross, pleaded guilty to damaging property; burglary; having an offensive weapon and battery.
But he was not put on a video link to the court and his barrister Giles Nelson gave an explanation to Judge Michael Longman.
Mr Nelson told the judge: "He is on Bravo Wing at the prison.
"There has been an outbreak and they locked down for 14 days yesterday. They are not to leave the wing at all."
The judge told the court there was need for alarm in the case, and no suggestion that anyone should worry.
He retained the case to himself and adjourned sentence to December 2 - the day when the government says it will unlock everyone outside of jail in England from coronavirus restrictions.
A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said there was no major outbreak at the prison, other than "one or two" positive tests which would necessitate people to self-isolate.
She said: "The video link (from the prison) was incorrectly cancelled. It was put back on this afternoon."
HMP Bristol has a capacity of 505 and governor James Lucas has been in charge since July 2019.
The prison was originally built in 1883, but there have been numerous additions, extensions and renovations since then.
It serves the courts of Bristol and the South West and most prisoners remain at Bristol for less than 12 months.
