Pubdate: Fri, 11 Nov 2005
Source: Ottawa Citizen (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 The Ottawa Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/ottawa/ottawacitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/326
Author: Carly Weeks, The Ottawa Citizen
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange)

FEDERAL PRISONERS CAN TATTOO EACH OTHER

Clean Syringes Ahead In Battle Against Blood-Borne Disease

The government has opened tattoo parlours in federal prisons and is
looking at handing out clean needles to inmates who inject drugs.

For $5 each, federal prisoners can now get their favourite design or
phrase -- but nothing racist or gang-related -- etched into their skin
by a fellow inmate. The project is the first of its kind in Canada and
believed by some to be the only one in the world.

It's a contentious pilot project that began in August at five federal
prisons across the country, with the sixth one scheduled to get under
way later this month.

While tattoos have traditionally been illegal in prisons, many inmates
construct makeshift needles out of whatever they can get their hands
on, from pens to pieces of metal. Prisoners often pass around their
crude devices, which leads to the spread of infectious diseases,
particularly hepatitis C and HIV.

By bringing tattoos into the open, officials hope to curb the number
of people who get infected from shared needles, said Michele
Pilon-Santilli, spokeswoman for Correctional Service Canada. "I know
we've had some criticism from individuals," said Ms. Pilon-Santilli.
"The bottom line is this is a public health issue. It's harm reduction."

Sites for tattoo parlours were chosen from each federal region and are
operating at Atlantic Institution in Renous, N.B., Cowansville
Institution in Cowansville, Que., Bath Institution in Bath, Ont.,
Rockwood Institution in Stony Mountain, Man. and Matsqui Institution
in Abbotsford, B.C.

A parlour was scheduled to begin operating at the Fraser Valley
Institution for Women in B.C., but it has been delayed by
construction.

The offenders who operate the machines receive training and refresher
courses. The money collected from the tattoos goes to an inmate
welfare account and can be used to purchase furniture to spruce up the
tattoo shop, Ms. Pilon-Santilli said.

The total cost of the program is estimated to be $700,000, said Ms.
Pilon-Santilli. While the parlours are scheduled to operate only until
March 31, the Public Health Agency of Canada plans on applying for
funding to extend the program.

The tattoo program may be a sign of progressive steps to come. That's
because the federal government is currently analysing whether to hand
out clean needles to inmates who inject drugs. Correctional Service
Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have signed an agreement
to work together to analyse the risks and benefits of prison-based
safe needle programs.

In September, officials from the two agencies, along with
representatives from the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers and
the Professional Institute of the Public Service, toured prisons in
Spain and Germany that have needle exchange programs. Needles are
often shared by dozens of inmates, leading to the spread of
blood-borne diseases.
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MAP posted-by: Derek