According to an online report, prisoners at Warkworth Institution will be given needles so they can inject contraband in their cells.

Northumberland Today is citing a release from the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers which says the Commissioner of the Correctional Service of Canada, Anne Kelly, has given direction that a Prison Needle Exchange Program be implemented at Warkworth Institution over the next month.

According to the report, the program will allow each of the 570 prisoners at Warkworth to apply to have a needle stored in their cell, to use drugs like heroin, fentanyl and opioids, with the CSC saying it’s a means of reducing harm to inmates, so they don’t have to share needles.

The union is suggesting that instead of having needles stored in cells, which can pose a danger to corrections officers and staff, an overdose prevention site should be set up so the inmate could use the substance under supervision and even get personalized treatment for any addiction issues.

The report suggests that prison guards have been told by inmates that the OPS is the preferred option for them as well.