Public health agency says prison needle exchanges reduce risk, do not threaten safety or security.

In April 2006, the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) provided a report to the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) regarding the potential risks and benefits of introducing needle exchange programs in Canadian federal prisons (PNEPs). The PHAC report concludes that while definitive data concerning the impact of PNEPs on the transmission of blood-borne pathogens among prisoners does not exist, such programs have resulted in a decrease in behaviours which risk transmission and have not threatened prison safety or security.