NEWS: Canberra Times - 15/03/08 'Needle exchange not on in new jail '

[lil angel15]

Needle exchange not on in new jail
Cathy Alexander

Inmates at Canberra's new jail will be given bleach to wash their syringes but there will be no needle exchange for drug users.
The ACT Government confirmed in its health services plan for the Hume prison, released yesterday, that it would not allow a needle exchange.

Inmates will get free condoms, at least one dental check-up a year, and may get to use tattooing equipment. The plan called for more investigation into providing the equipment; prisoners might even be trained on how to use it.

The decision not to allow a needle exchange has pleased corrections officers, but health groups are disappointed.

The plan presented NSW evidence of high levels of hepatitis C infection and drug use among prisoners. Among female inmates. 64 per cent had hepatitis C, along with 40 per cent of male inmates, while 84 per cent of females and 80 per cent of males used illicit drugs.

Health Minister Katy Gallagher said the new jail, which is human rights-compliant and due to open this year, would not have a needle exchange because it should start from the position of preventing drug use.

The policy would be reviewed after 12 to 18 months to see if an exchange was needed.

Health workers would collect data on drug use and infections. The 200 inmates would have to take part in urine testing for illicit drugs.

Ms Gallagher said bleach was an effective way of preventing the transmission of infections through needles. Some opposed it, because they were concerned about its possible misuse, but the Government would monitor safety issues.

Liberal leader Zed Seselja said giving inmates bleach to clean needles was "a clear admission of defeat from day one".

He said Labor appeared split on the issue of drugs, with the Labor Left keen to bring in a needle exchange in the future.

Vince McDevitt, regional director of the ACT branch of the CPSU, which represents correctional officers, welcomed the decision not to have a needle exchange, but said he was not sure providing bleach to clean needles sent the right message.

Canberra Times

 

[Jabberwocky]

bleach hey? can anyone say "hot shot"?

 

[Xscores]

That seems pretty dangerous. What government runs ACT? As far as i know australia has some of the best harm minimisation laws around like a shooting room in sydney and needle exchanges all over the place with free needles, even in prisons.

 

[madmick19]

The ACT has a really strange labor gov running it at the moment, they are progressive in a few ways then backward in a few other areas.

Directions ACT is the lead non government AOD service in canberra who has been championing this cause and were a little dissapointed in the outcome but hopeful of the erview in 12months time,

as for the bleach thats news to me, it strange you know canberra has the highest per capita use of substances across the board and even with the masive use of the nsp's the gov still wont come to the table for this.

its a little hypocritical since they will allow condoms for safe "sex that doesnt happen" in jail, yet are still unwilling to trial NSP in any forms in jail....

hopefully ill get a chance to work on this proj too since i work for them

 

[peaked]

Allowing a needle exchange seems like a good idea. My only concern would be the possibility of using them as a weapon.

 

[Lotta Cooties]

wait till one of the prison guards cops a splash of bleach in their eyes. things will change quickly lol

 

[lil angel15]

Stigma adds to spread of jail diseases
Nyssa Skilton
16 March 2008 - 10:06AM

STIGMA and discrimination are contributing to the spread of blood-borne viral diseases in prisons, a public forum has heard.

The forum took place on Friday as the ACT Government confirmed its health services plan for Canberra's new jail, ruling out a needle exchange program for drug users for at least 12 to 18 months.

Instead, inmates will be given bleach to wash their syringes.

Social Research and Evaluation director and Australian National University fellow David McDonald said preventive resources were needed to reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases in prisons, but stigma and discrimination made it hard for the prevention to become a reality.

The health plan included NSW survey data showing 84 per cent of women inmates and 80 per cent of men reported using illicit drugs.

A total of 64 per cent of women and 40 per cent of men reported having hepatitis C.

Mr McDonald said one of the biggest blood-borne disease challenges facing the Alexander Maconochie Centre was to strike a balance "to get right the balance between meeting the health care needs of the prisoners and the safety and security needs of the prison".

"More work needs to be done to get that balance in such a way that the health of the prisoners is an absolutely leading consideration," he said.

ACT Corrections Minister Simon Corbell introduced the forum, which was arranged by members of the Community Coalition on Corrections.

He said the Government's was committed to investigating a needle exchange for drug users in the jail.

"The reason why it's not being done now, is that it would be ground-breaking policy for Australia," he said.

"We're certainly not ruling it out, but we believe that further work needs to be done on the issue."

The new health services plan described tattooing as a key source of infection in prisons.

Mr Corbell said the Government would consider issues about safe tattooing.

"There are a range of ways of dealing with the situation," he said.

"You can provide for tattooing off-site, for example, in a licensed premises, you can provide equipment on-site in a range of ways. So those are the things that we will consider."

ACT AIDS Action Council general manager Andrew Burry said the forum aimed to break down the perception that prison was not part of the community.

"In fact, it is part of the community, which is why people inside need to be guaranteed a level of health care and education equivalent to what should be available outside," he said.

The next forum Exploring Diversions: Implications of the new ACT Prison and Youth Detention Centre will be held on Thursday at 12.30pm in the ACT Legislative Assembly reception.

Canberra Times

 

[madmick19]

Allowing a needle exchange seems like a good idea. My only concern would be the possibility of using them as a weapon.

there has only been one reported case where a prison guard was infected with a needle used as a weapon and that was in the US