A Senior Management Perspective on the Policy Debate of Needle and Syringe Exchange Program Provision in Irish Prisons. (January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosalim, Jay P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of correctional health care. Volume 26:Number 1(2020)
• Page Start: 27
• Page End: 35
• Publication Date: 2020-01
• Subjects: prison nursing -- harm reduction -- prison injecting -- needle and syringe program; Prisoners -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; Prisoners -- Medical care -- United States -- Periodicals; 365.667
• DOI: 10.1177/1078345819897399
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1078-3458

Abstract

This study examined from an Irish perspective the contentious policy debate about providing clean needles to injecting drug users within prison systems; specifically, it examined the views of six senior managers who were prison health staff and security management. Research participants were generally opposed to the introduction of prison-based needle and syringe exchange programs (PNSP) in Ireland. They argued that (1) PNSP were unnecessary since injecting drug use within Irish prisons has declined significantly, (2) PNSP, by making needles freely available to prisoners, would make prisons riskier since these needles might be used as weapons against prison staff or other prisoners, and (3) PNSP might be seen as condoning illicit drug use and sending the "wrong message." It is concluded that, for the moment at least, there is little likelihood of PNSP becoming a reality in the Irish Prison Service.