Pubdate: Thu, 29 Jun 2006 Source: Vancouver 24hours (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 Canoe Inc Contact: http://vancouver.24hrs.ca/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3837 Author: Robyn Stubbs, 24 Hours Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?143 (Hepatitis) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?137 (Needle Exchange) GOV'T JAIL-HOUSE TATTOOS NIXED The government's plan to cancel the controversial federal prison tattoo-parlour program has local harm-reduction advocates concerned the move will jeopardize inmates' safety. Implemented by Corrections Canada in 2004, the program opened six tattoo parlours in federal prisons across the country to the tune of $700,000 to help curb the transmission of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C infection among the prison population. While harm-reduction critics like Randy White, president of the Drug Prevention Network of Canada, see the cancellation of the "wasteful tattooing program" as a positive, others view the move as a step backwards. "This tattoo equipment program is equivalent to a clean-needle exchange program to reduce the transmission of blood-born diseases within the prisons. It's not some luxury benefit," said Jason Gratl, president of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association. "There is a misguided smallness at work in this policy decision." - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman