Condoms and Needle Exchange in Prison?
In a recent state health department/UC-Berkeley poll, almost two-thirds of Californians surveyed approve of distributing condoms and of drug-needle exchange programs in prisons. They recognize that prisons are major epidemic breeding grounds and that these are effective ways to prevent HIV transmission.
Two major northern counties already do so in their large jail systems as an emergency matter, and LA offers condoms only; but such programs remain illegal in most counties. As usual, the state prison systems says sex among inmates is illegal and drug use doesn’t happen.
These are more radical approaches than we usually see utilized, observed one researcher. Granted. However, this writer appreciates the reality check. The folks in California are often on the cutting edge in lots of ways, but if something actually flies in the Golden State, it generally becomes the national norm — eventually.
Sex and drugs do happen in prison and are a major source of HIV and hepatitis transmission, especially among heterosexuals and people of color. Of course, they will eventually return to their communities — our communities. Until we begin to deal honestly with these issues, one way or the other, we will not get a handle on the twin HIV/HCV epidemic in the incarcerated population.
This article appears in November 22 • 2002.