Pubdate: Tue, 04 Jul 2006
Source: Abbotsford News (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 Hacker Press Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.abbynews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1155
Author: Trudy Beyak
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis)

TAXPAYERS MAY NOT GET STUNG WITH COST OF PRISON TATTOOS

Conservatives May Close Prison Tattoo Parlours

Taxpayers may be off the hook for prison tattoos.

The federal government is looking at turfing the controversial prison 
tattoo program, according to Randy White, former federal justice critic.

He issued a press release and told The Abbotsford News that he has 
"inside" information the federal government intends to cancel the 
tattoo pilot project.

Six federal institutions in Canada - including Matsqui Institution 
and the women's prison (Fraser Valley Institution) on King Road - are 
taking part in the regulated tattoo parlours.

The project is estimated to cost $3.7 million over a six-year period 
and Stockwell Day, Public Safety Minister, is reportedly considering 
other options.

White said he would be happy to see the end of the prison tattoo 
parlors, saying they came from "a wasteful, useless program in the 
first place."

The other problem, he said, is that taxpayers and the federal 
government may be legally responsible if inmates contract AIDS or Hep 
C from these tattoo parlours while in prison.

White retired from politics last year and is now the president of the 
Drug Prevention Network of Canada.

Federal prison officials, meanwhile, say they haven't heard anything 
about stopping the program.

Maria Dalziel, assistant warden of Fraser Valley Institution, said 
inmates are enthusiastic about the tattoo program and they believe it 
should continue, to prevent the transmission of diseases.

The purpose of the project, according to Correctional Service of 
Canada (CSC), is to reduce the rate of infectious diseases in prisons 
in a safe and supervised setting.

About 35 per cent of approximately 2,000 incarcerated offenders in 
the Pacific Region (B.C.) have Hepatitis C.

The reality, says CSC, is that offenders are doing tattoos illegally 
in prisons using crude sharp objects and sharing used needles.

The goal is to cut down the amount of illicit tattoo activities in 
prisons where almost half of the prisoners in Canada are involved 
with the "body art."

A sticking point for White, however, is that taxpayers are 
subsidizing prison tattoos, which he said only cost inmates $5 each.

White said CSC should make it a priority to encourage removing 
tattoos from offenders, because future employers are leery hiring 
people with offensive tattoos.

He took prisons authorities to task.

It's important that the prison system bring back proven drug programs 
related to treatment, prevention and enforcement, rather than getting 
into the tattoo business, White said.

Randie Scott, Matsqui Institution assistant warden, said he has not 
heard a word about the project possibly being cancelled.

In fact, the program, which started in Matsqui last August, is going 
well, Scott said, adding that he believes it is having positive benefits.

The project is to be evaluated this fall after operating for one year.

Guards think it's ridiculous.

John Williams, president of the Union of Canadian Correctional 
Officers, Pacific Region, said guards are against giving tattoos to prisoners.

"It's a total waste of taxpayers' money and they aren't stopping 
illegal tattooing, anyhow," Williams said.

"All it does is give the inmates more access to needles, and you 
can't tell me that some of those needles aren't going missing."

White said the federal government is on track putting together a new 
national drug strategy, which will get rid of unsuccessful, expensive 
programs that harm the positive programs of education, prevention and 
treatment.

"Let's come to grips with real harm reduction," White said.

"It's about time people are helped out of their drug addictions, 
instead of helping them to maintain their habit,' White said.

He said CSC continues to ignore the fear of guards that inmates may 
hide the needles and use them as weapons.

About 3,000 offenders are diagnosed with Hepatitis C in federal 
institutions across Canada which is 30 times the rate of the general 
population.

Several hundred offenders in Canada are also diagnosed with HIV.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman