Guest guest Posted August 8, 2004 Report Share Posted August 8, 2004 Aids activists for safe sex in prisons LISON JOSEPH. TIMES NEWS NETWORK [sATURDAY, AUGUST 07, 2004 12:42:29 AM] HYDERABAD: If the law were to be enforced in toto, no condoms can be distributed in jails, for it is illegal for prisoners to have sex, particularly homosexual intercourse. For the Indian Penal Code outlaws same-sex relationships and distributing prophylactics to prisoners would amount to breaking the law. However, anti-Aids activists have a tacit understanding with jail wardens to look the other way in the interest of containing the spread of Aids in jails. Section 377 of the IPC says " having carnal intercourse, against the order of nature, with any man, woman or animal shall be punished with imprisonment for life. " Given this clear ban on sex, anyone distributing condoms among jail inmates would be a partner in crime as he would be facilitating a punishable offence. " Openly allowing Aids activists to distribute condoms in prisons would amount to acknowledging the prevalence of homosexual activities, which is a violation of the IPC. Hence no law-abiding jail warden would allow condom distribution, " a senior official of the AP State Aids Control Society said. Inspector-general of police (prisons) P Narasimha Reddy denied that there is any homosexual activity in prisons but confirmed that Aids counsellors are being allowed to work in various prisons in the state. " The barracks accommodates 40-50 prisoners. There is no privacy for intimate activities, " Reddy said. According to Reddy, jail authorities train trusted prisoners as `peer educators' to report HIV suspects. New inmates are counselled about Aids. It is a fact that there are HIV-positive undertrials and convicts, Reddy conceded and added that after a counselling session, Aids campaigners discreetly hand over a pack of condoms to the inmates. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/cms.dll/html/uncomp/articleshow? msid=805873 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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