The Association for Prevention and Harm Reduction Programs Australia (Anex) believes despite strict controls on drugs entering Australian prisons, prisoners are still contracting blood borne viruses through unsafe injecting, thus promoting the spread of disease.

Lead author of a paper published in the Journal of Health, Safety and Environment, Anex chief executive John Ryan said the research suggested 7 per cent of prison officers may suffer an accidental needle-stick injury.

“Prison authorities know prisoners are injecting, so they can foresee a risk to staff,” he said.

“Prison officers regularly come across needles which are hidden by prisoners, many of whom share needles and have the debilitating virus hepatitis C.

“For as long as prisoners do not have access to clean needles, prison warders are at higher risk of accidentally injury that could lead to hepatitis C infection.”

Officers should ask their unions to provide them with information which shows needle exchanges are safe, Mr Ryan said.

“That would provide peace of mind to officers, and also their families who wonder if mum or dad is safe at work,” he said.

Mr Ryan said despite the worrying claims, it was not right for officers to fear prison addicts would use the needles as weapons.

“Prisoners are not using needles as weapons where prison-based exchanges are accepted and effective, he said.

“But, if a guard searching a cell reaches up under a bed for example, he can never be sure he would get a prick from a contaminated needle that has been shared dozens of times.”

According to a 2007 report, National Prison Entrants Blood Borne Virus and Risk Behaviour Survey, 42 per cent of NSW prison entrants tested had hepatitis C.