Pubdate: Wed, 16 Nov 2005
Source: Concordian, The (CN QU Edu)
Copyright: 2005 The Concordian
Contact:  http://www.theconcordian.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3153
Author: Jennifer Squires
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/prison.htm (Incarceration)

ON PINS AND NEEDLES IN CANADA'S PRISONS

Inmates in five Canadian federal prisons can now get their tattoos
done for $5 a pop. As part of a government pilot project started in
August, tattoo parlours were opened and prisoners hired as tattoo
artists. The move is part of a new government initiative to stop the
spread of infectious diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C (HCV) in
the prison system.

According to Correctional Service Canada (CSC), in 2002 there were
1,856 inmates infected with HCV that were released into the community.
There were 183 HIV-positive inmates released the same year.

These diseases are contracted more often in prisons than in the
general Canadian population -about 10 times more for HIV and almost 30
times more for HCV, according to a recent survey of Canadian prisons.
They're transmitted through blood or bodily fluids.

Because inmates don't have access to sterile equipment or needles,
they make do with whatever they can find. Makeshift tattoo needles are
made from staples, knives or pens and are passed from one inmate to
the other. By creating the parlours, they're providing access to safe,
clean equipment for the tattoos that inmates will get, regardless of
hygiene.

This may also have opened the door to other prevention measures in
prisons, like needle exchange programs for intravenous drug users.
Canada has over 100 syringe exchange programs; the first official one
started in Vancouver in 1989. But Canadian federal prisons have never
adopted this harm reduction measure.

The idea behind needle exchange programs is to reduce the amount of
harm caused by drug addiction. By providing sterile needles, the
frequency of needle-sharing is reduced and infectious diseases are
less likely to be transmitted. This harm reduction measure deals with
the reality of these addictions and tries to lessen the harm caused by
them, rather than trying to stop them entirely.

These programs don't condone illegal drug use. Needle exchanges are
usually operated in conjunction with prevention programs. In the long
term, users are directed towards counseling and rehabilitation.

Since 1992, prison-based needle exchange programs have been
established in Spain, Germany, Switzerland, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan and
Belarus. There have been numerous reports since that year which
recommended a similar program for Canadian prisons.

The first such recommendation was made by the Prisoners with AIDS
Support Action Network in 1992. The CSC itself put out two reports
advocating these programs, in 1994 and 1999. The Canadian Human Rights
Commission made a similar recommendation in 2003 and the Ontario
Medical Association, one of the largest doctors' organizations in
Canada, called for Canadian prison needle exchange programs in 2004.

Despite all these recommendations, and the obvious health benefits
that these programs would provide, the government has held back from
implementing needle exchanges. What's stopping them?

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the CSC recently signed an
agreement to look into the benefits and risks of a prison-based
syringe exchange program. But the government commissioned the CSC's
Study Group on Needle Exchange Programs to look into it six years ago.
Why didn't they act then?

For too long, these viruses have been allowed to spread through
Canada's prisons. The tattoo parlour pilot project is a step in the
right direction, but it's only the first step. Why should prison
sentences continue to be potential death sentences for some inmates,
while others spread diseases upon their release?

The government has a responsibility to look at the research that's
already been done on prison needle exchanges and realize that the
benefits far outweigh the risks.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin