Rosalim, Jay P (2020) A senior management perspective on the policy debate of needle and syringe exchange program provision in Irish prisons. Journal of Correctional Health Care, 26, (1), pp. 27-35.
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.
J Health care, prevention, harm reduction and treatment > Health care programme, service or facility > Prison-based health service
MM-MO Crime and law > Justice system > Correctional system and facility > Prison
MP-MR Policy, planning, economics, work and social services > Policy > Policy on substance use > Harm reduction policy
T Demographic characteristics > Person who injects drugs (Intravenous / injecting)
T Demographic characteristics > Person in prison (prisoner)
VA Geographic area > Europe > Ireland
Click here to request a copy of this literature
Repository Staff Only: item control page