NCJ Number
174126
Date Published
1996
Length
170 pages
Annotation
This final report of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network and the Canadian AIDS Society examines whether Canadian governments and the prison systems have a legal obligation to provide prisoners with the means to protect themselves against contracting HIV while in prison; further, it addresses the potential liability for not providing condoms, bleach, and sterile needles and the resulting transmission of HIV in prisons.
Abstract
The report recommends that the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) adopt a long-term, coordinated, strategic approach to HIV/AIDS and drug use in prisons. It further recommends that the CSC adopt a more pragmatic approach to drug use, acknowledging that the idea of a drug-free prison is no more realistic than the concept of a drug-free society and that, because of HIV/AIDS, they cannot afford to continue focusing on the reduction of drug use as the primary objective of drug policy; reduction of drug use is an important goal, but reduction of the spread of HIV and other infections is more important. Also, the CSC should acknowledge that making bleach, sterile needles, and methadone programs available to inmates does not mean condoning drug use, but is a necessary and pragmatic public health measure. In promulgating this policy, the CSC should educate the Canadian public and decision-makers about the importance of implementing harm-reduction measures in prisons. Most importantly, the CSC should act without delay to protect prisoners, staff, and the public. 200-item bibliography and appended supplementary documents