17th May 2004
Irish Penal Reform Trust Executive Director Rick Lines is in Vienna today at the invitation of the United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
The UNODC has asked the IPRT to give a presentation on prison syringe exchange programmes to the UNODC's Roundtable on HIV/AIDS and Prisons. Also speaking at today's session are representatives from the World Health Organisation, Penal Reform International and the UNODC.
Mr. Lines will be presenting a briefing paper prepared for the UNODC roundtable entitled, The Case for Prison Syringe Exchange: 10 reasons why sterile syringes should be provided to prisoners.
"We are very pleased at the opportunity to work with the UN Office of Drugs and Crime on this important issue," said Mr. Lines. "We are also pleased that the IPRT's expertise in the area of prison drugs and HIV policy is being recognised by such an important international body."
Respect for rights in the penal system with prison as a last resort.