Condom dispensers installed in San Francisco jail, despite sex being illegal

(NewsCore) - Condom dispensers are the latest addition to San Francisco County Jail in San Bruno, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Wednesday.

Authorities have installed 16 machines for the jail’s 750 inmates, one in each pod, despite sex among prisoners officially being illegal.

A safe sex program for prisoners began in 1989, where inmates were provided with condoms before they were released.

Sheriff Michael Hennessey told the San Francisco Chronicle that while their instillation may be controversial, the larger health education message was important.

Kate Monico Klein, who is directing the program for the city's Public Health Department, said that sex was already taking place without the machines.

’If [providing condoms] saves one or two lives, it's worth it," Klein said.