The Acting Communications Manager for the Ontario Region of the Correciational Service of Canada gave Today’s Northumberland more information on the needle exchange program that will soon be at Warkworth Institution.
Kyle Lawlor said the Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP) has been in existence with the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) since June 2018. PNEP.
Lawlor said the program provides an opportunity for inmates to access clean needles in a manner that supports their safety, the safety of other inmates, and the safety of staff.
“It forms part of CSC’s suite of harm reduction measures aimed at limiting the spread of infectious diseases in federal institutions and helping to ensure that offenders reintegrating into the community are doing so in a healthy and safe manner.”
There are nine institutions using the PNEP program and to date there have been no safety incidents involving staff or other inmates.
A Threat Risk Assessment is first conducted to evaluate security concerns before an inmate is approved to participate in the PNEP.
Prior to introducing the PNEP, sharps were in institutions for injecting insulin and as Epipens and there are effective protocols in place to safely manage those. Appropriate safeguards have also been established to ensure that PNEP kits are safely stored and accounted for at all times.
“PNEP implementation will continue along with ongoing consultation with partners.”
“There is no single effective intervention in managing problematic substance use. CSC’s approach is to provide a range of options, such as the Prison Needle Exchange Program and Overdose Prevention Service (OPS), to address the health care needs of inmates.”
OPS is currently offered at Drumheller Institution which was selected based on the health needs of the population. CSC began consultations in October 2019 to implement an OPS at Springhill Institution in 2020.
Lawlor said it’s important to note that substance use disorder is a global phenomenon and correctional environments are not immune to this. Almost 75% of offenders arrive at federal institutions with some level of substance use disorder, and many have multiple addictions. There are number of tools available that are used to prevent the flow of drugs into our institutions. These include searches of offenders, visitors, buildings, and cells using search tools including ion scanners and detector dogs. CSC applies strict policies concerning contraband and unauthorized activities. CSC’s drug strategy focuses on reducing the demand for illicit drugs by providing treatment and rehabilitation. For example, we offer programming that addresses many criminogenic needs, including substance use disorder.
More information on PNEP and OPS is available on our website.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
