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We recognize that drugs on occasion will make their way into our penitentiaries

While needle exchanges in prisons have been around for a long time in other countries — Switzerland has had one since 1992 — the system in Canada is relatively new. A pilot project began in this country’s federal prison system in June 2018 at the Grand Valley Institution in Ontario and Atlantic Institution in New Brunswick. As of 2018, Correctional Service Canada estimated 1.2 per cent of inmates had HIV, a rate approaching 10 times that of the general population, where 65,000 of 37 million Canadians have HIV, according to the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research.

In January 2019, the program was expanded to four other institutions. The government said there have been no overdoses in federal prisons as a result of the exchange program.

“As with all CSC policy and program decisions, the safety and security of staff, the public and inmates are always paramount,” said an email from Stevenson. “CSC continues to have discussions with unions and staff as the program rolls out to address any concerns.” She said there have been no instances of needles being used as weapons in Canadian prisons.

Wilkins said correctional officers have found one needle in the cell of an inmate to whom it was not given, suggesting prisoners are still sharing needles. “We know that they have the ability to share the needles that are being given to them by the government.”

The drugs that will be used at the site are contraband, said Stevenson, not provided by the government

“We recognize that drugs on occasion will make their way into our penitentiaries. Recognizing this reality, we have a responsibility to safeguard the well-being of those under our care,” she wrote.

• Email: tdawson@postmedia.com | Twitter: tylerrdawson