This is an extremely challenging area of correctional practice. There is some international evidence that prison-based needle exchanges can work, and by work I mean they provide better health outcomes. At the same time, they don't contribute to increased drug use or increased violence inside institutions.
Back in 2005 the Correctional Service of Canada contracted with the Public Health Agency of Canada to do an extensive review that included visits to European sites of jurisdictions where needle exchange is used. That report was published by the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2006. It concluded that there was only positive evidence in terms of prison-based needle exchange.
The Correctional Service of Canada has a health care advisory committee made up of experts in various areas of health practice. This health care advisory committee in 2002 or 2003, I believe, recommended that the Correctional Service of Canada institute a prison-based needle exchange. The Senate standing committee that issued the report Out of the Shadows at Last on mental health and addiction also recommended that the range of harm reduction initiatives offered by the Correctional Service of Canada be expanded.
My office has exchanged correspondence with ministers of public safety and ministers of health around the issue of needle exchange. I think it's safe to say there's consensus that a needle exchange has positive health outcomes. Where there is difficulty is how to integrate a needle exchange into a correctional environment that is trying to achieve zero tolerance for contraband drug use.