Posted on 12/06/2006 6:37:24 AM PST by presidio9
Canada is scrapping a pilot program that provided tattoos for prisoners in an effort to stop the spread of diseases such as hepatitis and AIDS, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day said Monday.
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The program, set up by the previous Liberal government, offered free tattoos to prisoners in six of Canada's 58 federal prisons. The Liberals lost in January to the right-wing Conservatives, who promised to crack down on crime.
"Our government will not spend taxpayers' money on providing tattoos for convicted criminals," Day said in a statement.
"Our priority is to have an effective federal corrections system that protects Canadians, while providing inmates with access to acceptable health care and treatment programs."
Day said this included programs to immunize inmates against hepatitis A and B, voluntary screening for early detection and treatment of infection, and courses to inform prisoners about the dangers of illegal tattoos.
Al-Reuters refers to the Conservatives as "right-wing Conservatives, but to the Liberals as "the Liberal government". No bias to see here, folks; just move along.
Every now and then a Liberal policy comes along that is just so ridiculous, it becomes a symbol of government excess and stupidity. Midnight Basketball was one such program. Canada's prisoner tattoo policy is another.
My first thought was that the tattoos were to identify the prisoners as infected. In Canada??
Mrs VS
Whoever added the keyword "CHAT" sure doesn't seem to appreciate that.
This tread is doomed. Sorry 'bout that.
Actually, I'm having a lot of my threads moved around lately by moderators who can't comprend my rationale for posting them, and don't want to be bothered emailing me for clarification.
It's a little game we like to play.
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