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Manitoba government backs away from fruit-flavoured condoms for prisoners. STEVE LAMBERT Canadian Press
Monday, September 15, 2003
WINNIPEG (CP) - The Manitoba government is having second thoughts about bulk ordering 40,000 fruit-flavoured condoms for prisoners in jails and youth centres.
The government initially issued a tender on Friday for a two-year supply of condoms to prisoners in 10 facilities. And the tender made it clear that not just any condom would suffice. "Condom, lubricated, assorted flavours - strawberry, banana and vanilla - Lifestyles 6811 or approved alternate, no substitutions on quality."
It also stipulated: "These are non-spermicidal lubricated condoms."
At first, the Justice Department said thousands of condoms would be required to prevent the spread of diseases behind bars, and fruit flavouring would prove more popular.
"I think the thinking behind that is obviously that this will make it more usable by inmates," said Jim Wolfe, assistant deputy minister for Manitoba Corrections.
But later in the day, Wolfe said the government had a change of heart, due to possible public perception.
"They may believe it to be excessive. Obviously, we're always in the public eye, and so it's through those lenses that you sort of have to review it," said Wolfe, adding that fruit-flavoured condoms cost only slightly more than the regular variety.
The government will buy a smaller number of condoms - with no flavouring, thank you - and revisit the idea of a bulk purchase at a later date.
The condoms were to be distributed to jails and youth centres in Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, The Pas and Beausejour. The bill was to be a maximum of $8,400.
That got a rise out of the Opposition Conservatives, who have been demanding more money for farmers hurt by the mad cow scare.
"This government can't find the money so that farmers can feed and clothe their children through this BSE crisis, yet somehow they can find this amount of money to give flavoured condoms . . . to criminals," said Myrna Driedger, Conservative health critic.
But not providing condoms to prisoners would allow AIDS and other diseases to grow, said Wolfe.
"That's just a reality of prison life," he said. "I can say that there's an ongoing need for (the condoms). And that is the case in correctional facilities across Canada."
The distribution of condoms has the support of the John Howard Society, a prisoners' rights group.
"You can't stop drugs or sex (in jail). So if you can't stop them, let's reduce the harm and stop the spread of disease," said Jeff Dueck, a community service worker with the group's Manitoba division.
The province has been supplying condoms to inmates for five years and has been eyeing bulk purchases in order to cut costs.
© Copyright 2003 The Canadian Press
Manitoba government backs away from fruit-flavoured condoms for prisoners. STEVE LAMBERT Canadian Press
Monday, September 15, 2003
WINNIPEG (CP) - The Manitoba government is having second thoughts about bulk ordering 40,000 fruit-flavoured condoms for prisoners in jails and youth centres.
The government initially issued a tender on Friday for a two-year supply of condoms to prisoners in 10 facilities. And the tender made it clear that not just any condom would suffice. "Condom, lubricated, assorted flavours - strawberry, banana and vanilla - Lifestyles 6811 or approved alternate, no substitutions on quality."
It also stipulated: "These are non-spermicidal lubricated condoms."
At first, the Justice Department said thousands of condoms would be required to prevent the spread of diseases behind bars, and fruit flavouring would prove more popular.
"I think the thinking behind that is obviously that this will make it more usable by inmates," said Jim Wolfe, assistant deputy minister for Manitoba Corrections.
But later in the day, Wolfe said the government had a change of heart, due to possible public perception.
"They may believe it to be excessive. Obviously, we're always in the public eye, and so it's through those lenses that you sort of have to review it," said Wolfe, adding that fruit-flavoured condoms cost only slightly more than the regular variety.
The government will buy a smaller number of condoms - with no flavouring, thank you - and revisit the idea of a bulk purchase at a later date.
The condoms were to be distributed to jails and youth centres in Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin, Portage la Prairie, The Pas and Beausejour. The bill was to be a maximum of $8,400.
That got a rise out of the Opposition Conservatives, who have been demanding more money for farmers hurt by the mad cow scare.
"This government can't find the money so that farmers can feed and clothe their children through this BSE crisis, yet somehow they can find this amount of money to give flavoured condoms . . . to criminals," said Myrna Driedger, Conservative health critic.
But not providing condoms to prisoners would allow AIDS and other diseases to grow, said Wolfe.
"That's just a reality of prison life," he said. "I can say that there's an ongoing need for (the condoms). And that is the case in correctional facilities across Canada."
The distribution of condoms has the support of the John Howard Society, a prisoners' rights group.
"You can't stop drugs or sex (in jail). So if you can't stop them, let's reduce the harm and stop the spread of disease," said Jeff Dueck, a community service worker with the group's Manitoba division.
The province has been supplying condoms to inmates for five years and has been eyeing bulk purchases in order to cut costs.
© Copyright 2003 The Canadian Press
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