To curb the spread of HIV among prisoners, there's a move afoot to distribute condoms. So naturally, there is opposition from those who say that encourages homosexuality.
Nonsense! The same illogic was behind opposition to the distribution of clean syringes to intravenous drug users. The goal was to limit the spread of HIV/AIDS through dirty needles. If infected addicts didn't share their syringes, they likely wouldn't transmit their infection, and needle-exchange programs sprang up in major cities, funded by private foundations. The benefits of giving away clean needles was soon apparent, and government-sponsored programs soon spread.
I suspect the same will be true of prison condom distribution. Prison authorities frown on it, but the reality is that sex among men in prison is fairly common.
Illinois needs to get with the program: If the state won't test incoming prisoners and isolate those who already are infected, at least it could make condoms available to limit the spread of HIV-- both in prison and in the community when those men are released and have sex with women. The savings in HIV medical treatments would be worth the cost.
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This is something that affects all of American society, not just those in Jail. It's unfortunate that we have to think about it, but Prisoners should have easy access to condoms (and not expired condoms either).