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In a major policy reform, the Victorian government is considering giving the state's prisoners access to condoms.
The move comes after studies showed more than half of male prisoners in Victoria had hepatitis C, the Herald Sun reported, and would end an eight-year ban on condoms in jails.
Mr Brumby would not confirm the initiative, but a spokesman for Corrections Minister Bob Cameron said the government was exploring ways to introduce condoms to prisons.
"There are a number of practical and security issues that would need to be resolved before condoms could be introduced into the prisons," spokesman Alex Twomey said.
A working group led by Corrections Victoria and the Human Services Department was examining the spread of communicable diseases in prisons, he said.
"The government will consider any recommendations," he said.
Issues to be considered include how to provide condoms - vending machines failed in NSW when prison guards refused to stock them - and whether prisoners would have to pay for condoms.
Former premier Steve Bracks was opposed to providing condoms to prisoners, despite an election promise from the opposition and pressure from ombudsman George Brouwer to do so.
A 2002 study of Victorian prisoners found 55 per cent of male prisoners and 67 per cent of females tested positive for hepatitis C, compared to 1 per cent in the general population.
©AAP 2007
