ACT Government Health Directorate Australian Capital Territory Health Information

About the consultation

PHAA was engaged by the ACT Government to investigate and report on models for the implementation of a Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) at the Alexander Maconochie Centre (AMC). The project included an assessment of barriers to implementation of an NSP into the prison, and undertook broad consultations with key stakeholders.

The PHAA Report was commissioned in response to the Government’s commitment to investigate a trial needle and syringe program at the AMC in response to recommendation 69 of the Burnet Report entitled External component of the evaluation of drug policies and services and their subsequent effects on prisoners and staff within the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

Part of PHAA’s process in developing the report was extensive consultation with key stakeholders. This included prisoners and families; custodial staff and representatives; ACT Health Directorate staff; community health and related service providers, and stakeholder workshops and focus groups conducted during the project.

The Report makes 7 recommendations related to: legislative changes to assist the implementation of a needle and syringe program in the AMC; establishing clear rules and procedures; an implementation plan designed to ensure optimal health and safety outcomes for prison staff and the broader community, as well as prisoners; and supportive measures related to the recruitment of an Aboriginal Health Worker for the NSP, secure syringe disposal bins, and monitoring developments in retractable syringe technology.

Downloads

Submissions and Comments

In 2011, the ACT Government invited public submissions to be made on the Public Health Association of Australia’s (PHAA) report into the proposed Needle and Syringe Program at the Alexander Maconochie Centre.

In the interests of transparency and the ACT Government’s philosophy of Open Government, these submissions are being made available publicly in instances where the authors of the submissions have provided permission to do so.

A decision may be made by the ACT Government not to make a submission public on the basis that it is perceived to be in breach of relevant legislation, for example, the ACT Discrimination Act 1991.

The Government is still in the process of analysing and reviewing the many responses received following the public consultation period on the PHAA report. The responses will assist the Government in making a final decision on a needle and syringe program.

View summary of submissions

The Summary of Submissions shows submissions received by email where permission was received to publish the submission. When the email refers to an attachment, these are provided at the links below.

The Summary of Submissions shows submissions in order of when permission was received to make that submission public.

Attachments to email submissions

Attachments to email submissions (cont.)

Contact us

Direct your enquiries to (02) 6207 9110.

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