Latest publication of The Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network has come up with its latest publication, Under the Skin, which covers a report regarding 'Needle-exchange programs' which are being recommended for the prisoners to combat HIV and Hepatitis C. This report, released on Tuesday, is drawn from affidavits and testimonials from federal and former prisoners across Canada who has ever used shared needles and syringes.

Sandra Ka Hon Chu, Senior Policy Analyst and the report's author said, "The scientific evidence and legal justifications for prison-based needle and syringe programs have long been established - including in our report from last year, Clean Switch - yet still the Canadian government will not implement these proven health services. Our lawmakers need to hear these harrowing testimonies and answer an urgent appeal for dignity, health and human rights".

The 42-page report states that the needle and syringe exchange programs are necessities if diseases like HIV and Hepatitis C are to be controlled behind the bars. It also aims at raising 'public awareness' in jails, in context of this issue. Human rights as well as financial reasons call for immediate implement of such programs according to the report. Treatment costs for prisoner suffering from hepatitis C is $22,000 and for a prisoner with HIV $29,000 annually, also 10%-20% prisoners are affected more as compared to general public, the report reveals.