CDC 12/05/06

CANADA: "Federally Funded Prison Tattoo Parlors Shut Down"
Edmonton Journal (12.05.06):: Janice Tibbetts

Canadian Public Safety Minister, Stockwell Day, told a news conference
yesterday that a prison-based tattoo program is not an effective use of
taxpayer money. The former Liberal government enacted the $600,000 Canadian
($526,130 US) pilot project in August 2005 at six federal penitentiaries.

Proponents believed the project could prevent blood-borne infections such as
HIV and hepatitis C by combating use of unsterile tattoo needles, thus
lowering long-term health costs. The safety-certified parlors were operated
by one to two trained inmates, who charged $5-$15 ($4-$13 US) for each
tattoo. About 1,043 tattoo sessions were conducted before the Conservative
government stopped the program for review two months ago.

The Canadian Taxpayers Federation applauded the government shut-down,
calling the program an example of "goofy" public spending.

The hepatitis C rate in prisons is 30 times the general population's rate,
and HIV/AIDS rates are seven to 10 times higher, according to statistics.
Shutting down the pilot now is premature, since it would "take years to
measure the true benefits," said Leon Mar, Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network's
communications director. "In the long run, the public health costs are going
to be much higher."

Day said the program is a waste of money since there are still unsterile
tattoo parlors operating at federal penitentiaries. He cited, but declined
to release, a study he said found the pilot parlors ineffective. The
government, said Day, would continue to educate prisoners about infectious
diseases, but prisoners would have to assume responsibility for their own
health.



Sandra Tara Balduf (Ane)

Support for patients and educational materials

regarding all forms of liver disease.

http://frontline-hepatitis-awareness.com

509-888-0587






[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]