Lost Opportunities? Prison Needle and Syringe Exchange Schemes

Abstract

Community needle and syringe exchange schemes (CNSES) have become an established part of harm reduction strategies in the UK. However, prison needle and syringe exchange schemes (PNSES) have not been afforded the same attention. This article explores some of the pertinent issues that surround PNSES debates. The focus is on the UK, although it draws on international sources as the issues presented transcend international borders. To represent the range of considerations that surround PNSES debates the following six questions will be addressed: Are PNSES unrealistic and unpopular? Do PNSES conflict with the duties and principles of the prison service and its staff? Do PNSES affect levels of drug use and drug injection in prison? Would PNSES affect levels of infections? Will drug injectors use PNSES? Will PNSES affect safety and security? The article concludes with a call for a much fuller debate on the issue of PNSES.