Condoms for Inmates

According to the Associated Press, there is a bill in the governor's office that will allow public health agencies and non-profits to provide condoms to inmates in California state prisons in hope to control the spread of HIV and STDs.

I have no problem with that. However, I believe that the bill should add an amendment to have needle exchanges for drug addicts and tattoo artists. After all, the percentage of inmates shooting drugs and doing tattoos are much higher than homosexual activities. The needle exchange program will definitely help control the spread of HIV.

Then again, the bill is a Catch-22 because state law forbids inmates from engaging in homosexual activities and doing drugs and tattoos.

I applaud the legislators effort to address the HIV and STD issue in prisons. However, I believe a better and safer solution is to pass a bill to provide and enforce education for inmates in all prisons. I guarantee the benefits will supercede the issue of HIV.