Should The Smoking Ban Extend To Prisons

[sp1814]

I've never really given it much thought before.

What do you think?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/smoking-ban-prisons-public-court-of-appeal-rules-a6918731.html

[baza]

Ban smoking within the prison buildings and only allow it in excercise areas, I had to leave my warm work area and stand out in the cold when the law changed, so let them suffer too.

[Mamyalynne]

To David Small - sorry to hear of your predicament, hope you're out soon.

[nailit]

//only allow it in excercise areas// Prisoners are lucky if they get one hour of excercise a day. Often if its raining they get none. Impractical suggestion.

[nailit]

lol @ mamya ^^

[Cloverjo]

No, they shouldn't ban smoking in someone's own cell.

[mastercraft]

A prisoner's cell is part of the staff's workplace, so yes, I agree it should be banned.
We are constantly hearing that the prisons are full, is it still the case that there are some lucky individuals that have a cell to themselves?

[Jackdaw33]

Irrespective of one's views about smoking, it is perhaps the only pleasure that these unfortunates have. On purely compassionate grounds I would allow it.

[mastercraft]

"compassionate ". Well, that's why there are so many re-offenders. Let's make prison the *** hole that you do not want to return to.

[jno]

Very few want to return to prison; ask any former inmates you know. But the right of some prisoners to smoke has to be balanced against the rights of those who don't, and who don't want to be killed by doing it passively - the same as in the world outside.

[david small]

Busted.....:o)

[sp1814]

Perhaps a ban inside, and smoking only allowed whilst exercising outside as suggested earlier?

[Old_Geezer]

Of course it should. As I understand it the cells tend not to be single occupancy and the common areas are that, open to others upon whom second hand smoke should not be inflicted. No question. I accept there may be an argument for setting up a nicotine den in the corner of the courtyard, much as you find them outside offices today, but a complete ban would be better for all in the long term. Would get addicts off the habit. With working smoke alarms, detection of illicit smoking should be simple enough.

[CrapAtCryptics]

The prison where I used to work imposed the smoking in cells and exercise yards only on the first day it was required. The prisoners knew it was coming so there was no friction. Staff who smoke volunteer to cover exercise periods so they can indulge themselves. As far as I am aware this applies to all Uk prisons but I also know that some have managed to pull off a full ban.

[nailit]

sp1814 and baza
You really havnt thought this through have you? All you have done is type your knee jerk reactions
//Perhaps a ban inside, and smoking only allowed whilst exercising outside as suggested earlier?//
As ive already told you (and you have conviently ignored) prisoners are lucky to have one hour of excercise a day. Are you seriously saying that smokers can only be allowed to smoke during this time? Also how would the logistics of this work? Would prisoners be allowed to keep their tobaco on them at all times but only be 'allowed' to use when on excercise or would you have dozens of screws handing out their tobbaco as they enter the excercise yard and then collecting it back again after? It seems to have escaped the attention of some who propose that prisoners should only be allowed to smoke outside that cons cant just 'pop outside' when they want.

[ToraToraTora]

yes

[EDDIE51]

I have posted on this before, tobacco is not just smoking material in a prison it is currency. Even prisoners who do not smoke need tobacco to use as 'cash'. You need a haircut? There will be a prisoner who cuts hair (often one who has been a barber on the outside.) He will be paid in tobacco, 1/2 oz (12.5 g)a hair cut is was the price when I worked in a prison.You want 'porn' mags or pictures to pass the time, you pay in tobacco. Another inmate has had some sweets or food items sent to him and he wants to sell some of it, you pay him in tobacco!
The smoker/non smoker ratio is reversed in prison . On the 'out' only 20% of people smoke , 'inside' less than 20% do not smoke over 80% are smokers.
Smoking only when out on in the exercise yard ? Forget it, now due to staff shortages most prisoners are 'banged up' 23 hours a day only allowed out to collect food and then they return to their cells to eat it.
Outside exercise is 1 hour a WEEK in most jails not 1 hour a day!
Prison staff in the main are against banning smoking as they know it will make their job even more difficult.
When you see prisoners sitting in the canteen eating their meals while chatting to each other in TV shows or films that is a fiction, to make a better story line.You can't get much of a story out of the reality where prisoners are only allowed out a few at a time to collect their food and return to their cells to eat it.

[Jackdaw33]

Although I have no personal experience I think Eddie has it. 'Snout' is the currency in prison.

[retrocop]

If the smoking ban extends to prisons it could also be applied to those places which in effect are peoples homes. Whilst I detest smoking I wouldn't want to see elderly people in great need of care refusing to go in to a home because they can't smoke.

Both staff and elderly residents were forbidden to smoke in my late mother's care home. They had to be wheeled out from the day room in all weathers to have a drag in the garden. The residents not the staff were wheeled out.
No smoking for the staff at the prison my D.I.L. works at but the prisoners are allowed to.
I would hope a non smoking warder would make a claim against the H.O. if,god forbid, they contracted a smoking related illness.

[chiaroscuro]

If there was a complete ban most would be cured of their addiction before they came out by going 'cold turkey' - doing them a favour innit?

[nailit]

//If there was a complete ban most would be cured of their addiction before they came out by going 'cold turkey' - doing them a favour innit?//
Theres a complete ban on drugs....that works really well dunnit?