The State - News from July 16, 1989

Distribution of free condoms to county jail prisoners has been approved by San Francisco Sheriff Michael Hennessey, but whether they will be handed out depends on a city attorney’s office opinion due next week on the legality of the plan. In the past, condoms have been considered unlawful contraband. If approved, the program will be the first in California’s county jail system and only one of five in the nation--including New York, Vermont, Mississippi and Philadelphia--to permit condom distribution in jails.