California Prison to Test Bizarre Condom Program for Prisoners

VACAVILLE, Calif. — A pilot program instituted by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will take place at Solano State Prison that allows prisoners to possess one condom each without incurring disciplinary action, as long as the condom remains sealed in its wrapper.

According to recent news reports, Solano prison officials are currently installing 10 condom machines that will be supplied with 1200 condoms a week. The idea behind the plan is to reduce the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, but mixed signals are clearly being sent to an inmate population that continues to engage in consensual and forced sexual activity that is illegal under California law.

The pilot program comes on the heels of a failed legislative attempt last year to legalize the distribution to prisoners of what the bill referred to as "sexual barrier protection devices." AB 1334, introduced by Assemblyman Sandré Swanson (D-Oakland) passed in both the Assembly and the Senate, but was vetoed by the governor last October.

Even that bill, however, would have allowed inmates to possess condoms while simultaneously criminalizing sexual activity.

"Any person who participates in an act of sodomy with any person of any age while confined in any state prison, as defined in Section 4504, or in any local detention facility, as defined in Section 6031.4, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison, or in a county jail for not more than one year," the legislation read.

Whatever Schwarzenegger's reasons for vetoing the bill, he subsequently directed the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to test the viability of distributing condoms to prisoners in a 12-month pilot program limited to one state prison. The program will commence in September at Solano.

Similar test programs have been instituted at smaller jails in Los Angeles and San Francisco, with no apparent incidents of inmates using the condoms or their wrappers as weapons, as some prison officials fear. Similar in some respects to the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" stance, these condom programs acknowledge and are attempting to address the reality of sex in prison while still outlawing the sex itself.

"Sexual activity in prisons is still illegal," Terry Thornton of the California Corrections Department said. "Inmates will be notified of that as well where the machines are located."

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Kheper Releases New 'Think Like a Slut' Party Game

Kheper Games has released the new "Think Like a Slut" party game.

Pjur, Magasin du Nord Partner for 'Flex Area' Campaign

Pjur and retail brand Magasin du Nord have partnered for the wellness brand’s Flex Area campaign.

Honey Play Box, Creative Conceptions Ink European Distro Deal

Honey Play Box has signed a deal with Creative Conceptions for distribution in the U.K. and Europe.

Motorbunny Debuts 'Fluffer Rock Hard Power' Cock Ring Vibe

Motorbunny has introduced its Fluffer Rock Hard Power vibrating cock ring.

EQOM Appoints Anneke Kamphuis Interim CEO

EQOM Group, the company behind ONE-DC and EasyToys, has appointed Anneke Kamphuis as its interim CEO.

Viben Debuts 'Dreamii' Collection

Viben has unveiled its new Dreamii line of pleasure products.

Onahole Debuts New 'Brain Hacker DX' Stroker

Pleasure brand Onahole has introduced its new Brain Hacker DX stroker.

Fanreal Debuts 'Real Skin Texture' Love Doll

Pleasure brand Fanreal has introduced its proprietary silicone Real Skin Texture love doll.

Full Circle Expands 'Savage Me Dream Girl Doll' Line

Full Circle has introduced Alyssa, Carla, and Nadia from its Savage Me Dream Girl Doll collection.

Dame Launches 'Green Dildo Coin' Campaign

Sexual wellness brand Dame has partnered with creative agency Stereo Creative to launch its Green Dildo Coin campaign.

Show More