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Despite a state law that prohibits
sex among prisoners, California lawmakers are considering a bill that proposes
distributing condoms in prisons to reduce high STD and HIV infection rates
among inmates. Assembly Member Rob Bonta (D-Oakland) proposed AB999, which
would require the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to
supply condoms in 5 prisons by 2015 and in all 33 adult prisons by 2020.
The Assembly already has passed
AB999; if the Senate also approved the bill, California would become the second
state, after Vermont, to give condoms to all prisoners. Legislative researchers
reported that Australia, Brazil, Canada, many European Union nations,
Indonesia, and South Africa already have condom distribution programs.
California piloted condom
distribution among 800 state prisoners in 2008, after Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger vetoed a bill to allow health and nonprofit organizations to
give out condoms in prisons. Based on pilot outcomes, public health officials
recommended expanding the program.
At present, the California
correctional system allows spouses and domestic partners to bring up to 10
condoms for overnight family visits, but does not allow condoms outside
visiting areas. Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and
Washington, D.C. jails provide condoms for inmates.
Bill opponents feared condom
distribution would encourage forced and consensual sex among prisoners and
worried that prisoners could use condoms for smuggling contraband or drugs.
Representatives of the San Francisco Department of Public Health’s HIV Services
reported they have not experienced any of these problems.
Assembly Member Dan Logue
(R-Marysville) voiced concern over condom distribution among female inmates who
could use the condoms during sex with prison guards or workers. Although Bonta
acknowledged that could occur, AB999 allowed the corrections department to
provide other safer-sex options for women. The bill also required donated
condom dispensing machines to prevent taxpayers from paying for prisoners’
condoms.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
