PRISONS IN Lisbon and Paços de Ferreira will be the first to provide prisoners with clean needles, in an experimental exchange programme starting in September.
According to the regulations of the programme, the replacement of needles will be for users of intravenous substances who apply to join the programme voluntarily. Those left out include prisoners who have been diagnosed with serious mental health problems and those with special security or disciplinary measures.
It is hoped the programme will help reduce the transmission of infectious diseases within prisons.
Do you have a view on this story? Email: editor@portugalresident.com
