Smoking In Prisons (Again)

[nailit]

A few weeks ago 3T posted about smoking been banned in Scottish prisons. (with the obvious lock em up and throw away the key brigade chiming in) I pointed out that it was old news and that it was a programme being rolled out across the UK.

Today, I received a letter from my sons mate who is currently in HMP Oakwood who informs me that from next month it too will be made a no smoking prison. He informed me that he has been talking to another con who has come from one of these 'no smoking' prisons (Winson Green I think) and that a pack of tobacco is going for £200.
Why has the government made a perfectly legal substance (tobacco) such a commodity that will henceforth be illegal in prisons, and cause problems for both staff and prisoners. There has already been riots in prisons over it.
I'm not on the side of cons over this but surely its going to make life more difficult for prison staff?


(posted in chatterbank because I havnt got a link for news...and I thought it may be worth 'chatting' about..)

[ummmm]

I wouldn't want to be a member of staff!!

[tonyav]

Neither would I, More rioting I think.

[Eleena]

I don't like smoking,but, cigarettes are addictive, how can anyone deny an addiction? Cigarettes pacify, this will backfire on them. How is it managed? Slow withdrawal of tobacco or cold turkey?

[Eleena]

How can anyone implement that?

[tonyav]

Cold turkey, Eleena. On a certain date ( set by the government I should imagine ) there will be a smoking ban within the prison walls.

[Eleena]

How many get the chance to walk outside in the grounds?

[Eleena]

Either way abrupt cessation ... got to be asking for trouble.

[tonyav]

None ( unless they escape ) I think, Eleena.
Wonder if they will impose a smoking ban in open prisons ?.

[nailit]

I find a huge disparency between what the government dictates and what the ground staff know. Smoking is not illegal, prisoners have always been allowed to smoke. Screws (and other prison workers have always been ok with this) and there hasn't been a problem. Government interviens and creates a problem that wasn't there before.
WHY?

[mikey4444]

We can't seem to stop prisoners from getting hold of shed-loads of drugs, so I am not sure how we are going to stop them smoking.

Smoking is much prevalent amongst the people most likely to be in prison in the first place !

[tonyav]

Probably using the Health and Safety carp, nailet.

[Eleena]

It will be a controlled programme. Still, seems an invasion of human rights? Imagine the government telling all smokers they couldn't smoke in their own homes! I can't stand the stuff personally, but I'm amazed they can do this.

[Eleena]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/05/05/high-security-prisons-alert-telling-inmates-must-give-smoking/

[nailit]

//It will be a controlled programme. //
If you are locked up most of the day and your every movement is monotered then yes, it is controlled.

[Eleena]

No, controlled withdrawal. I understand what you're saying though.

[nailit]

Just how do you 'control' a (legal) addiction?

[nailit]

Cross posted Eleena

[anneasquith]

I wonder if the nicotine addicted will think twice about reoffending when the ban is implemented ?

[nailit]

//I wonder if the nicotine addicted will think twice about reoffending when the ban is implemented ? //

Only the unthinking and self righteous would think like that.

[nailit]

Which one are you Anne?