Prisoners are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, loved ones and part of our communities. They have a right to health that must be realized.

Meet James and Craig, two brothers who are also former prisoners. James caught HIV in prison. His infection was entirely preventable.
Prisoners are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, loved ones and part of our communities. They have a right to health that must be realized.

Meet Kathleen. Her husband is currently serving time in prison. She worries about his health while he is there, as well as the health of his fellow prisoners.
Prisoners are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, loved ones and part of our communities. They have a right to health that must be realized.

Meet Sheryl, a mother of two who was infected with hepatitis C from sharing drug injection equipment. She describes the trauma of prison.
Prisoners are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, loved ones and part of our communities. They have a right to health that must be realized.

Meet William and Connie. William used drugs to cope with the death of his parents. His sister Connie worries about him in prison and is concerned for his health.
Prisoners are fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, sons, daughters, loved ones and part of our communities. They have a right to health that must be realized.

Meet Corrine. She works in prison support and understands the conditions many prisoners face inside and just why injection drug use is so rampant.

Resources

Under the Skin: A People’s Case for Prison Needle and Syringe Programs
A groundbreaking report compiling affidavits and testimonials from 50 current or former federal prisoners Canada-wide, documenting first-hand accounts of drug use and needle sharing inside prisons. These perspectives provide concrete evidence of the harm prisoners experience when they are denied health services that other citizens can access.
Clean Switch: The Case for Prison Needle and Syringe Programs in Canada
Policy brief outlining the evidence and legal rationale, under Canadian and international law, for Canada to implement PNSPs without delay.
Hard Time: HIV and Hepatitis C Prevention Programming for Prisoners in Canada
A comprehensive report on HIV and HCV prevention programming and policy for prison systems in Canada.
Women and HIV – “Women in Prison, HIV and Hepatitis C”
Info sheet on the issues faced by incarcerated women and the human rights of women living with or vulnerable to HIV in Canada.
HIV and Hepatitis C in Prisons
A series of 13 info sheets on HIV, AIDS and hepatitis C in prisons.
Prison Needle Exchange: Lessons from a Comprehensive Review of International Evidence and Experience
Salient report examining the international experience and evidence concerning prison needle and syringe programs.
Improve access to Naloxone in prison
A brief info sheet outlining the benefits of allowing federal prisoners access to naloxone in their cells.
Prison Needle and Syringe Programs: Myths and Realities
A resource dispelling common myths about these programs.
Prison Needle and Syringe Programs: Policy Brief
Evidence and recommendations in support of implementing prison-based needle and syringe programs in Canada.

Needle and syringe programs in prison: it can be done

Produced by L'Association des Intervenants en Toxicomanie du Québec, this video considers a needle and syringe program in a Swiss prison, and features interviews with prison staff who describe the program's benefits.

“All my crimes were done to support my drug habit… I was soliciting, dancing and working for escort agenices. The drugs helped me numb what I was doing, and the more I solicited myself, the more drugs I would do. It was a vicious cycle.”