The issue of female prison guards having sex with male prisoners is in the news. (Prison boss vows to lock up lovebirds, 26/7). Is this justified by Barnaby Joyce’s argument that you can’t help who you fall in love with? Forget about equality, is it safe for women to work in this environment? I strongly disagree with the forced administration of drugs to suppress the sex drive of prisoners. Instead, the prospect of conjugal visits might well be used as a positive reward system to foster best practice among the prisoner population. Using natural urges to ensure rule compliance must be a preferred rehabilitation methodology. The suggestion that such a healthy young population would be best managed by forced abstinence is ludicrous. The ensuing frustrations could only compromise the mental health of those you are trying to heal. Prison life is punitive, with the loss of all liberties. That the freedom to commit crime is lost is a good outcome. What freedoms should be restored to ensure they are released with the best prospect of excellent social integration? Alan Sexton. North Parramatta. 27July2018