When one thinks of locations condoms are regularly distributed, the following places quickly come to mind: high school sex education classes, college and university campuses, and centers like Planned Parenthood. However, there may be one more site to add to this list – prisons. There is currently a debate across the nation about whether or not state and federally funded prisons should provide inmates with condoms. Some some believe it would keep prisoners safe by effectively helping to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as HIV and AIDS while others see it as a morally offensive act that may not have a very positive impact. Both views have valid points, and one should consider both adequately before advocating for, …show more content…
The CDC states on their websites that the, “consistent and correct use of male latex condoms can reduce (though not eliminate) the risk of transmission of sexually transmitted diseases” (CDC). Further, the American Bar Association’s ABA Standards for Criminal Justice: Treatment of Prisoners states that “A correctional facility should…protect prisoners from harm from other prisoners” (16). Because condoms help to prevent STDs transferred between prisoners, many use this passage to argue that condoms are needed to keep the inmates from harm. Senator Rod Wright of he “pro” side also points out that because condoms help to prevent STDs, handing them out would actually be cheaper than treating the STD after the inmate falls ill (Catholic Online). It is no secret that condoms are inexpensive and medical care is expensive. Moreover, the Bureau of Justice Statistics reports that a minimum of “95% of all state prisoners will be released from prison at some point.” Therefore, those pushing for condom handout believe that using condoms to aid in the prevention of the spread of STDs in prisons will actually have an impact in helping to prevent their transmission among the the law abiding citizens of the United States (Hughes). This is, of course, making the conservative assumption that when …show more content…
One justification is that they may be used for purposes other than safe sex. A major concern is the condom’s ability to help prisoners smuggle drugs by them to better hide the drugs inside their bodies. However, those who advocate handing out condoms are quick to point out that there are already items available to bootleg contraband, such as plastic sandwich bags and cling wrap (Lines, 64). Weaponry is another fear that goes along with the availability of condoms in prisons. Staff are afraid they will be filled with bodily excretions such as urine and feces and then used in attacks (Lavender, 2015). Another concern is that handing out condoms may cause problems for those receiving them. In the prisons like those in Vermont where they must be requested, and the request must be filed, asking for a condom may be seen as a “probable cause for investigating whether or not an inmate is engaged in illegal activity” (Fullilove). Possibilities of prohibited acts that receiving a condom correlates to may include drug use, attacks against officers, and the obvious sexual relations with other
Muhlhausen, D. B., Dyer, C. C., McDonough, J. R., Nadlemann, E., & Walters, R. (2006). Do prisons protect public safety? In C. Hanrahan (Ed.), Opposing Viewpoints: America’s prisons (pp. 16-48). Detroit: Bonnie Szumski.
Many people believe that the only way to receive HIV and AIDS is through sexual intercourse. Although it can be spread through sexual intercourse without proper protection, there is a bigger issue at hand. Not only can HIV and AIDS be transferred through sex, it can be transferred through the sharing of needles. A large number of people forget that drugs are becoming a popular trend in today’s society. The spread of HIV and AIDS has increased because of the sharing of needles between drug users.Not only is it an STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) it is a bloodborne pathogen. This is why needle exchange programs are a must have in communities like Licking County, today. Needle exchange programs are extremely helpful because it decreases the spread of HIV and AIDS.
The purpose of this essay is to indicate how the needle and syringe program in prisons will benefit the Australian government as well as the wider Australian community. As well as the maintenance of NSPs can be maintained while acknowledging concerns of those against it. Needle and syringe programs (NSP) are aimed at intravenous drug users, so as to prevent and limit blood borne diseases like HIV/AIDS and hepatitis. These NSP programs help drug addicts by supplying needles and also through referrals and provide education among other services. All these efforts are made to control the spread of blood borne diseases like Hepatitis and AIDS in Australian population with 872 Blood Borne viruses reported 4th quarter 2013(Quarterly Surveillance Report Notifiable Sexually Transmissible Infections and Blood-borne Viruses in Western Australia, Government of Western Australia, Department of health period ending Volume11(1) 31st of December 2013). Blood borne diseases being a major concern all around the globe and prisons being a hub for these diseases its best that NSPs are introduced in prisons.
In other words, these programs preach that completely abstaining from any sexual activity is the only way to avoid potentially devastating consequences, such as teen pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Although this idea may be true, it is based on the faulty premise that all teens will adhere to such a policy, therefore, eliminating the need to educate them on other precautionary measures, such as contraceptives. Unfortunately, such hopes have proven to be unrealistic, resulting in the need for these programs to be readdressed. As with all issues, there are many evident stakeholders who are continuously affected by Florida’s lack of an effective and standardized sexual education program within its public school system.... ...
In addressing the prevention of the spread of the HIV virus in prisons, we have seen a rush to develop and implement prevention measures. Much attention has centered on such controversial issues as compulsory or voluntary blood testing, isolation versus integration of HIV infected inmates into the prison mainstreams, provision of condoms and disposable needles, and effective educational measures for specific groups within the prison.
The overpopulation in the prison system in America has been an on going problem in the United States for the past two decades. Not only does it effect the American people who are also the tax payers to fund all of the convicts in prisons and jails, but it also effects the prisoners themselves. Family members of the prisoners also come into effect. Overpopulation in prison cause a horrible chain reaction that causes nothing but suffering and problems for a whole bunch people. Yet through all the problems that lye with the overpopulation in prisons, there are some solutions to fix this ongoing huge problem in America.
The U.S is only 5% of the world’s population and houses a quarter of its prison inmates; well over 2 million people. In the past decade the war on drugs has filled many state and federal prisons with a numerous amount of inmates. Building new prisons is not the answer to tackling the prison overcrowding dilemma. The U.S doesn’t have the money due to economic strains, and it will not solve this issue head on as needed. “California may be forced to release up to 33,000 prisoners by 2013” (Shapiro & Wizner, 2011, p.1.). Some women and men do not belong in prison, and should be given other opportunities to sought help. Prison overcrowding is a growing concern in the U.S today. There are many different alternatives to end prison overcrowding versus releasing them into the community. For example by launching a parole support group or treatment or rehabilitation programs for inmates as well as ex-offenders, house arrest or probation are other routes to explore.
Taxpayers pay for so many things like law enforcement, construction work, fire fighter services, and etc. Part of what they pay every year goes to the medical department in jails and prisons. Taxpayers should not pay for the health care of inmates. They pay for incurable medical conditions. They should not pay for inmates with mental illness. Lastly, taxpayers should not pay for their oral needs. They have so much to worry about; inmates and their needs should be the last thing they should worry about. They should not pay for incurable medical conditions, mental illnesses, or oral care.
With the recent 2016 election, Hillary Clinton voiced her opinion on putting more money on ankle bracelets for low-level offenders as a solution to help reduce the bloated prison population. This solution, in theory, proposes the offenders to work, be with their loved ones, be able to be productive, and do their time without being in a prison (Shourd). According to James Kilgore, the author of Understanding Mass Incarceration, he agrees that being put in ankle bracelets is better than being put into prisons, but he responds again saying that it’s still not the answer. (qtd. In Shourd). Electronically monitoring has solved some of the problems that the solution set out for, but by solving those problems new ones appeared. By using ankle bracelets
First, the prison system exacerbates negative behaviour such as drug use, self-harming behaviour and suicidal thoughts and actions. One of the most significant ways that the prison community worsens drug use, self-harming behaviour and suicidal thought is providing minimal amount of harm reduction. Accordingly, Lines makes note that higher instance of HIV/HVD and other transmitted disease are a cause on mental health issues within prison, this harm reduction measures would improve the overall health of individuals in prison (Lines at Al. 2005). Thus, the prion systems all intersects: much like society, the happier the i...
It is said that prison should be used for more serious crimes such as rape, assault, homicide and robbery (David, 2006). Because the U.S. Prison is used heavily for punishment and prevention of crime, correctional systems in the U.S. tend to be overcrowded (David, 2006). Even though prisons in the U.S. Are used for privies on of crime it doesn 't work. In a 2002 federal study, 67% of inmates that
Longitudinal research has been conducted comparing the rate of violence in male and female prisons. It is important to do research on this topic because it does not only lead to the conclusion of where is violence prevalent, but focuses on other aspects as well. It focuses on the psychological, social, and sexual side of the inmate. This topic does not only focus on who has the highest rates of violence, but why does that sex have a higher rate. This topic looks deeper at the differences between male and female inmates and what causes them to have high rates of violence. Most people would say that male prisons have a higher rate of violence due to biological reasons. People tend to think that males are more aggressive therefore violence is prevalent in male prisons, yet there is a lot more to this idea.
Wurth, Margaret H, et al., “Condoms as Evidence of Prostitution in the United States and the Criminalization of Sex Work.” Journal of the International AIDS Society. 16.1 (2013): 1 - 3. Academic Search Complete. Web. 16 Oct. 2015.
Case Study on Aids and Condoms. The AIDS virus is spreading rapidly throughout India and Brazil. Due to the differences in culture and political policies, these two countries are attacking the AIDS epidemic problem in two totally different ways. On one hand, Brazil plans to spend hundreds of millions of dollars on teaching public AIDS awareness to married women and Carnival goers. In comparison, India's government has identified specific targets of their society in order to reach the public and spread the information about AIDS awareness.
The stop-and-frisks from the New York Police Department are searching for some form of evidence to condemn the individual. Ultimately, this evidence usually presents itself as a condom, as it is one of the only common physical object described having a sexual intent. Due to this, many sex workers do not carry condoms or are afraid to because of the risk of arrest. In an interview with the Human Rights Watch, sex worker Anastasia stated that “If I took a lot of condoms, they would arrest me. If I took a few or only one, I would run out and not be able to protect myself. How many times have I had unprotected sex because I was afraid of carrying condoms? Many times.” If sex working was legalized, there would be no need to search for condoms because