There are about 30,000 Australians in correctional facilities, an estimated 71 per cent of whom had used illicit drugs in the 12 months before incarceration. In the words of the National NSP Strategic Framework, “injecting drug use in prison and the absence of NSPs in prisons represents a gap, a risk and a limitation in all jurisdictions and requires urgent attention”. Only the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) has publicly explored the possibility of introducing a needle and syringe program (NSP) in a prison. The single biggest obstacle has, and remains, opposition from the prison officers’ union which threatens industrial action.
Political and supporting media strategy has been critical in positioning in-prison NSP as a responsible public health measure. Anex established a Harm Minimisation in Prisons Committee (HMPC) comprising respected medical and research leaders. Prominent Australians from across the political spectrum were enlisted as a means of publically re-positioning prison NSP away from its portrayal as a “leftist” pro-prisoner rights issue as its opponents often do. Former military leaders have signed up, as has Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty, the eminent Sir Gustav Nossal, former Governor General Bill Hayden as well Janet Holmes a Court.
We proposed that the Government establish an investigation into potential models and steps to overcome barriers to implementation. The Public Health Association was contracted to conduct the investigation which concluded a trial is feasible and recommend it should proceed. The decision is expected later this year. At least three other jurisdictions’ officials have privately expressed willingness to investigate prison NSP options.
Enlisting respected opinion leaders from across the political spectrum has provided enhanced political legitimacy for a contentious area of corrections practice. Ongoing and careful political strategy throughout other jurisdictions is required to supplement the existing evidencebase supporting prison NSP.
