Prison-Based Harm Reduction

"For the purpose of preventing against drug-related diseases, physical withdrawal symptoms, and mental craving for drugs, the Danish Prison and Probation Service provides medical substitution treatment. This temporary treatment may extend over weeks or months. It is very to a wide extent followed by continuous substitution treatment that may last up to several years when deemed necessary by an interdisciplinary panel of people –which is more the rule than the exception. This service is normally received and communicated to the institution expected to take over treatment after the prisoner’s release.
"For the purpose of preventing against infectious diseases, including in particular abscesses, sepsis, hepatitis, HIV and AIDS, the Danish Prison and Probation Service dispenses condoms, chlorine rinse fluid for cleaning of needles and syringes, vaccination against hepatitis B and A and general health assistance, including information about the above diseases and general medical treatment on an equal footing with the rest of the population. Inmates, however, do not have access to free syringes and needles."