The Prison Needle Exchange Program

Since June 2018, the Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) has been rolling out a Prison Needle Exchange Program (PNEP) in federal institutions across the country to help prevent the sharing of needles among inmates and the spread of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS and HCV.

The PNEP is consistent with the Canadian Drug and Substances Strategy and based on comprehensive and informed evidence. The PNEP, along with CSC’s other harm reduction measures, helps ensure that inmates reintegrating into the community can do so in a healthy and safe manner.

To date, the PNEP has been implemented at 12 locations in 11 federal institutions: Grand Valley Institution, Atlantic Institution, Fraser Valley Institution, Edmonton Institution for Women, Nova Institution, Joliette Institution, Joyceville Institution (minimum security), Mission Institution (medium security),  Bowden Institution, Mountain Institution, and Dorchester Penitentiary (medium and minimum security).

Please read the Frequently Asked Questions to learn more.