Anyway, this is not my space to make a call. Let me now revert to what runs through my blood, human rights. Last week I did ask the question as to whether we care about prisoners’ vulnerability to HIV. The feedback from social networks, especially Facebook, was overwhelming. In a bid to propel the debate forward, I would like to make the following rejoinder.
There was a resounding call for condom distributions in prisons by many commentators. This is heartening as it shows that some of us are alive to the realities of this world and are prepared to face such realities by deploying measures that are to us or to some uncomfortable. We certainly need to sustain our reverberating voices.
On the other hand I came across pockets of resistance. Some argued that I am trying to seek popularity by calling for condoms in prisons. I dare say that if I wanted popularity I would go play soccer or do any other thing that is not divisive. Taking these challenges head on takes courage, bravery and resilience as one touches on issues that are to some offensive to their culture, religion or personal convictions.
Some posited that I am attempting to introduce homosexuality through the backdoor. This is laughable as not all men who have sex with other men are homosexuals. Men in prisons especially have sex with others because of the nature of the circumstances they find themselves living in. Some inmates, because their families have neglected them, engage in sex. They do not get toiletry, cigarettes and even newspapers from relatives. In the end, they trade with sex to receive all these. Sometimes inmates submit to sex because they want to belong to a group that is notorious for dishing for themselves, lots of food, especially meat. It is rough and tough out there.
There is a common argument to the effect that sex in prisons is rape. While I concede that some of it is without consent, I also wish to state that consensual sex does take place in prisons. Condoms are not meant only for consensual sex. And consensual sex does not take place only through condoms. In other words rapists can and some do use condoms. We have many such reported cases. It is even in the best interest of a rapist, more particularly, that lives with HIV to use a condom so that his sentence is not increased. It further does not mean whoever agrees to sex will invariably use a condom. Condoms are many out there but there are people who engage in consensual sex who use them sparingly or do not use them at all. But we nonetheless encourage safe sex. We would do the same thing in prisons. Encourage safer sex, whether consensual or nonconsensual. I would rather be raped by a rapist using a condom. Without a condom may be double tragedy.
Some have argued that anal sex is bad for health reasons. Well, I do not have information on that. What I do know is anal sex is happening even among heterosexual couples. At any rate, it is their bodies and their bodies are their business for as long as you and I are not affected. There are heterosexual couples out there who experience painful sex, especially the ladies. Should we then prescribe to them by law to stop having sex? No! we have to find ways of helping them to remedy or mitigate their situation.
One remark that caught my ear echoed what His Honour The Vice President once said, “prisoners told us that they do not want condoms.” I still ask myself, who did they speak to, and under what circumstances? Were the views of all inmates sought, by whom and how? Assuming, though I doubt, that a question was put to the inmates publicly: “do you want condoms?” Who would expect an affirmative answer? No one! Men generally, even outside prison, are shy to ask for condoms. In fact, only the brave ones would publicly buy or get them. Majority prefer, including married men who are morally expected to have sex, obtaining them from secluded areas such as toilets. I, therefore submit that the question to the inmates, if at all it was asked, most unfair.
Lastly, it was argued that prisoners do not enjoy certain rights since they are incarcerated. Well, this is not a matter of rights but of health and the economy. Antiretroviral drugs as we have been constantly reminded by government are not sustainable. Prevention is. So we are called upon to collectively close all gaps of infection and we need not lose sight of the fact that prisoners do mix with the society. They do come out and start or continue sexual relations with their wives or girl friends, some of whom are our mothers and sisters. Or as it is common in Botswana, their partners belong to our sexual network.
