Australia: Condom Scheme for Safe Jail Sex

A proposal to put condom-vending machines in Tasmanian prisons is expected to be approved early next year. The Justice Department's blood-borne virus working party put forth the proposal in an effort to ensure safe sex among inmates.

Hayes Prison Farm will be the first to give inmates condoms, coinciding with a need to house more than one prisoner to a cell at the minimum-security facility. Tasmanian prisoners usually get a cell to themselves, but space restrictions forced officials to change the policy. The change raised concerns about a possible increase in unprotected sex and a greater risk of STDs.

Prison Director Graeme Barber said a draft of the proposal was released to relevant health and prison workers for consultation. Tasmanian Correctional Officers Association Secretary Paul McGuire said his association was unhappy with the proposed move, saying it raised safety concerns for prison workers. "There's the potential for [used] condoms to be left lying around, or for them to be thrown at officers, so we're not pleased about it," he said. However, McGuire said sex between inmates did happen and he realized authorities were trying to address a serious health issue. He said drug use and needle use were two health issues the association felt should be solved before supplying inmates with condoms.

Hayes Prison Farm may already have a condom-vending machine, but no condoms have yet been provided. The new Risdon Prison, to be built around the existing jail next year, will also have condom-vending machines.

Back to other news for December 17, 2003