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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Smoking ban considered for prisons | Smoking ban considered for prisons |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A ban on smoking in all parts of 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 is expected to begin next year before the ban is implemented by 2015. | A pilot is expected to begin next year before the ban is implemented by 2015. |
| It is thought the move is linked to potential legal action by staff and inmates who have suffered the effects of passive smoking. | It is thought the move is linked to potential legal action by staff and inmates who have suffered the effects of passive smoking. |
| Smokers are expected to be offered nicotine patches but campaigners warn a ban would be difficult to implement and could have a destabilising effect. | Smokers are expected to be offered nicotine patches but campaigners warn a ban would be difficult to implement and could have a destabilising effect. |
| 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. |
| 'Harmful effects' | 'Harmful effects' |
| 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." | 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 in the spring, 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. | 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. | 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". | 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". | 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' | '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. | 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. | 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 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". | 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. | 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. |