Mr. Speaker, the federal prison needle exchange program provides clean needles to drug-addicted inmates so they can inject illegal substances that have been smuggled into our prisons. Needles are provided confidentially to inmates to do drugs in their cells. How can this possibly be a good idea?
Prison is meant to be punishment. The illegal drug habits of convicted individuals should not be catered to by federal correctional institutions.
The prison needle exchange program does not affect inmates alone. It puts the personal safety of our correctional officers at substantial risk. The Union of Canadian Correctional Officers is rightly and adamantly opposed to the needle exchange program.
Why is the government not listening to those on the front lines who have been clear that the current program does very little with respect to harm reduction?
Why does the Liberal government place more value on the illegal drug abuse of inmates over the safety of our correctional officers?