Female prisoners are being given s£x toys in a bid to curb the rise of infections from dangerous, homemade alternatives.
The scheme, which is taking place across the Netherlands, will make sex toys available to around 70% of Dutch prisoners.
It comes after experts warned of a rise in dangerous fungal infections due to inmates using things like toothbrushes to satisfy their s£xual needs.
According to a report by Dutch broadcaster NOS, female prisoners can chose from two different products: an air-pressure ‘Satisfyer’ and a non-branded transparent dildo, with both available to purchase at cost price.
Announcing the scheme, the Dutch Custodial Institutions Agency said: “Healthy s£xuality contributes to relaxation, better sleep and less frustration, and can reduce health risks arising from unsafe alternatives.”
According to the Belgian Brief, the unique policy comes after research found that female inmates had been “cut off” from expressing their s£xual desires, with even electric toothbrushes being banned in some prisons because they might be used as a tool of self-pleasure.
They found that without healthy and safe alternatives, women were having to improvise when it came to fulfilling their s£xual needs.
It said: “Firstly, the current ban on s£xual aids deprives detained people of the opportunity to meet their s£xual needs. Secondly, medical-service staff indicate that the ban can also create health risks, such as fungal infections, because other products are used as homemade s£x toys.”
The new policy has been welcomed by many prison staff, with one saying: “I once raised the point here that we provide all sorts of things, so why don’t we provide s£xual aids? People laughed about it, including psychologists.
“I think it could make a considerable difference. S£x is simply pleasurable. If they always had access to that before, why shouldn’t they have something for it here? If we provide a dildo here, what could the problem be?”
One female prisoner said: “A woman has those needs, but men do too. Even if it were only a video or a s£x toy, it doesn’t matter. It would be good if something were done about it.”
The trial is expected to last year, at which point officials will decide whether to continue to provide s£x toys and dildos as an option for female inmates to buy.
There does not appear to be any indication a similar policy will be trialled for male inmates.