In fact, one Administrator stated he was having a problem keeping the institution stocked because inmates were hoarding condoms, believing they may only be available for a short period of time. Medical personnel were excited about the program and developing ways to educate inmates and encourage the use of condoms and dental dams, if an inmate were not going to engage in abstinence. Medical personnel were also hopeful that the education inmates received while incarcerated would help them to practice safe sex when they returned to society, in order to protect others and themselves. Many inmates practice unsafe sex while incarcerated and then return home to their wives and girlfriends, only to infect them. Female inmates also engage in sexual contact.
Dental dams are a necessary component of any non-discriminatory condom availability program.
Every institution employing condom availability educated its inmates that abstinence was the best way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases and the potential of being disciplined if caught having sex. The use of condoms and dental dams were encouraged only in the absence of abstinence. Inmates reported that most of the inmates who engage in same-sex sexual contacts while incarcerated do not consider themselves to be gay or bisexual and would not identify themselves as such. It was reported that, as a practical matter, an individual will be more likely not to procure and use a condom, if doing so is not anonymous. Making condoms available to inmates can only be characterized as a wise, financially sane, and humane act.