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City Giving Free Condoms To Male Prisoners
POSTED: 8:59 pm EST December 12,
2006
UPDATED: 2:13 pm EST December 13,
2006
PHILADELPHIA -- The practice of safe sex can be a very controversial subject.Some suggest that handing out free condoms is the answer, but when it comes to men behind bars, the answers are not always so simple.Sex between inmates is illegal, but that hasn't stopped the city of Philadelphia from giving out free condoms. The cost is minimal and some argue that ensuring safe sex, even for inmates, will eventually save in medical expenses and possibly lives.
Studies show that prisoners are three times more likely to be infected with HIV than the general population.
Live Vote: Should Inmates Be Given Condoms?
Leon King, the commissioner of prisons in Philadelphia, said that by paying for condoms taxpayers are actually saving money.“I don't even know how much they cost, but I’m sure it's pennies compared to HIV treatment,” said King.King said Philadelphia prison officials have given out thousands of condoms to close to 9,000 inmates. According to the health department, those condoms cost taxpayers $360 a year.Advocates of the program say the price of condoms is nothing.
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They argue that you can buy more than a million condoms for the amount of money that it would cost to treat one AIDS patient for the rest of their life.Richard Liu, from the National Minority AIDS Council, said, “prisoners who are unable to abstain from sex should be given an opportunity to protect themselves from HIV.”A recent report released by his organization notes the correlation between higher incarceration rates among African Americans and the increased HIV infection within their community.Although condoms are allowed in Philadelphia prisons, they are forbidden in state prisons in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.Officials from the state prison system said they don't allow condoms because sex between inmates is illegal. Some also said they worry that condoms can be used to smuggle contraband.AIDS activists tell the NBC 10 Investigators that they've asked Gov. Ed Rendell to take another look at Pennsylvania’s policy, because they're convinced condom use can save lives.
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Live Vote: Should Inmates Be Given Condoms?
Leon King, the commissioner of prisons in Philadelphia, said that by paying for condoms taxpayers are actually saving money.“I don't even know how much they cost, but I’m sure it's pennies compared to HIV treatment,” said King.King said Philadelphia prison officials have given out thousands of condoms to close to 9,000 inmates. According to the health department, those condoms cost taxpayers $360 a year.Advocates of the program say the price of condoms is nothing.
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Recent Notable DeathsFamous People From New JerseyThe Jen-Brad-Angelina Soap OperaTruth About Big Internet Rumors They argue that you can buy more than a million condoms for the amount of money that it would cost to treat one AIDS patient for the rest of their life.Richard Liu, from the National Minority AIDS Council, said, “prisoners who are unable to abstain from sex should be given an opportunity to protect themselves from HIV.”A recent report released by his organization notes the correlation between higher incarceration rates among African Americans and the increased HIV infection within their community.Although condoms are allowed in Philadelphia prisons, they are forbidden in state prisons in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.Officials from the state prison system said they don't allow condoms because sex between inmates is illegal. Some also said they worry that condoms can be used to smuggle contraband.AIDS activists tell the NBC 10 Investigators that they've asked Gov. Ed Rendell to take another look at Pennsylvania’s policy, because they're convinced condom use can save lives.
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