Pubdate: Thu, 04 Oct 2012
Source: Globe and Mail (Canada)
Copyright: 2012 The Globe and Mail Company
Contact:  http://www.theglobeandmail.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/168
Author: Vic Toews
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v12/n490/a04.html

NEEDLES IN PRISONS

Andre Picard's suggestion that our prison system ought to be more like
Iran's is ridiculous (A Call For Pragmatism In Clean-Needle Debate -
Life & Arts, Oct. 2).

Our government is committed to developing a correctional system that
actually corrects criminal behaviour. As such, we have a
zero-tolerance policy for drugs in our institutions. That is why we
made a commitment during the last election to develop drug-free
prisons. Drug use among prisoners dramatically reduces their chances
of successful rehabilitation.

Putting needles in prisons also creates a dangerous situation for
correctional officers. We will never consider putting items that can
be used as weapons, such as these, in the hands of potentially violent
prisoners.

Vic Toews,

Minister of Public Safety
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MAP posted-by: Matt