Prisons, needles and OHS

Drug use occurs in prisons despite the strict prohibitionist approach that is taken. In Australia, prison needle and syringe supply is currently unregulated and uncontrolled. Prison officers risk sustaining needlestick injuries when conducting searches of inmates, cells and other areas, thereby risking bloodborne virus infections, such as HIV and hepatitis C. As such, there is a need to explore whether a regulated needle and syringe program (NSP) in Australian prisons could contribute to a safer workplace. International experience has shown that regulated prison NSPs do contribute to institutional safety, and that they do not result in syringes being used as weapons. The introduction of prison-regulated and controlled NSPs would be consistent with efforts to comply with OHS principles, as well as the approved standards for corrections in Australia.