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A proposal to put condom-vending machines in Tasmanian prisons is expected to be approved early this year. The Justice Department's blood-borne virus working party put forth the proposal in an effort to ensure safe sex among inmates.

Hayes Prison Farm will be the first to give inmates condoms, coinciding with a need to house more than one prisoner to a cell at the minimum-security facility. Tasmanian prisoners usually get a cell to themselves, but space restrictions forced officials to change the policy. The change raised concerns about a possible increase in unprotected sex and a greater risk of STDs.

Tasmanian Correctional Officers Association Secretary Paul McGuire said his association was unhappy with the proposed move, saying it raised safety concerns for prison workers. "There's the potential for [used] condoms to be left lying around, or for them to be thrown at officers, so we're not pleased about it," he said. However, McGuire said sex between inmates did happen and he realized authorities were trying to address a serious health issue.

Editor's Note: from Mercury