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Smoking ban considered for prisons Smoking ban considered for prisons
(35 minutes later)
A ban on smoking in all prisons in England and Wales is being considered by the Prison Service. A ban on smoking in all parts of prisons in England and Wales is being considered by the Prison Service.
A pilot project will reportedly begin next spring before being introduced in all other prisons over the next 12 months, with smokers expected to be offered nicotine patches. A pilot is expected to begin next year before the ban is implemented by 2015.
The Prison Service confirmed it was looking at possible sites to be "early adopters". It is thought the move is linked to potential legal action by staff and inmates who have suffered the effects of passive smoking.
The Prison Officers Association union has long campaigned for a ban. Smokers are expected to be offered nicotine patches but campaigners warn a ban would be difficult to implement and could have a destabilising effect.
It has previously expressed concerns about staff and prisoners "forced to suffer the harmful effects of second-hand smoke".
And there were suggestions the Prison Service could face compensation claims from officers who claimed they were victims of passive smoking.
About 80% of the more than 84,000 prison inmates in England and Wales are reported to smoke and tobacco is used as currency on the wings.About 80% of the more than 84,000 prison inmates in England and Wales are reported to smoke and tobacco is used as currency on the wings.
The 2007 smoking ban designed to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke in public places did not apply to prison cells. 'Harmful effects'
According to a report in the Times newspaper, prisons in south-west England, including Exeter and Eastwood Park Women's jail, will be involved in the pilot. A Prison Service spokesperson said: "We are considering banning smoking across the prison estate and as part of this are looking at possible sites as early adopters."
According to a report in the Times newspaper, prisons in south-west England, including Exeter and Eastwood Park Women's jail, will be involved in the pilot, which would extend to all parts of the prisons, including exercise yards.
Senior prison staff were said to have been informed of the move in a letter.Senior prison staff were said to have been informed of the move in a letter.
"You will no doubt be aware that the decision has been made that the time is right for the prison estate to adopt a tobacco and smoke-free policy to provide a smoke-free workplace/environment for our staff and prisoners," it reportedly said."You will no doubt be aware that the decision has been made that the time is right for the prison estate to adopt a tobacco and smoke-free policy to provide a smoke-free workplace/environment for our staff and prisoners," it reportedly said.
The Prison Officers Association (POA) union began to campaign for a smoking ban in all UK prisons in 2007.
It followed the introduction of smoking bans across the UK, which were designed to protect people from the effects of second-hand smoke in public places, but did not apply to jails.
The POA expressed concerns about staff and prisoners "forced to suffer the harmful effects of second-hand smoke".
POA general secretary Steve Gillan told the Times the union would work with the Ministry of Justice to make sure a ban "works effectively".
'Pressure on jails'
He acknowledged it "could cause disturbances" but pointed out a ban had successfully been introduced in young offender institutions in England and Wales.
Andrew Neilson, from campaign charity the Howard League for Penal Reform, suggested a ban would be difficult to enforce.
He told the BBC: "Prisons are going through unprecedented budget cuts, prison resources, staff resources have been cut, there may well be good intentions behind this policy proposal, but it will undoubtedly put a lot of pressure on jails which are already pretty stretched."
He added there could be a damaging effect in the short term on the mental health of prisoners "who are often very distressed".
A ban on smoking in workplaces and enclosed public spaces came into effect in England in July 2007 following similar legislation in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.