Illinois House Panel Approves Measure To Allow Prison Inmates To Purchase Condoms

Main Category: Sexual Health / STDs
Also Included In: Public Health
Article Date: 09 Mar 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The Illinois House Human Services Committee on Thursday voted 4-3 to approve a bill (H.B. 0419) that would allow prison inmates to purchase condoms to prevent the spread of HIV, the Chicago Tribune reports. According to the bill's sponsor, Rep. Monique Davis (D), condoms should be made available in prisons for those inmates who do not follow bans on sexual activity. "Safe sex is talked about every place except inside the prison," she said.

According to the Tribune, the bill "faces long odds to become Illinois law." In addition, some lawmakers are concerned that condoms could be used as weapons, the Tribune reports. Sergio Molina, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Corrections, said that the state provides inmates with resources and education about HIV, adding that making condoms available would "send the wrong signal" because sex is banned in prisons (Chicago Tribune, 3/5).

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