In an attempt to begin dealing with this increasingly serious problem, several correctional facilities have implemented a number of specific strategies. The following is a discussion of five principal strategies that have been recommended or implemented in an effort to deal with the escalating incidence of HIV infection and AIDS in correctional facilities. A significant amount of homosexual activity occurs among male offenders in correctional facilities. Anal intercourse is commonly recognized as the highest risk sexual behaviour related to the transmission of HIV infection, therefore several AIDS prevention programs have recommended giving condoms to offenders in an attempt to decrease the risk of HIV transmission. However, there are a number of problems with the effectiveness of condoms in preventing the transmission of HIV infection.
Condoms often fail because of breakage, leakage or slippage during sexual intercourse.
The actual use of condoms also presents problems in the correctional setting. Therefore, for both of these reasons, supplying condoms to incarcerated offenders is not recommended as an effective strategy for the prevention of HIV infection. Therefore, serious thought should be given to implementing research-based programs aimed at decreasing intravenous drug use in correctional facilities and to the possible interim provision of sterile needles and syringes for offenders who inject drugs. However, until there are adequate safeguards to prevent offenders from using needles as a source of barter or weapons, needle exchange programs within correctional facilities are not recommended. In the interim, appropriate educational, detoxification and treatment programs are necessary and should be made available to incarcerated offenders who would like to discontinue their intravenous drug use.