Perspectives on implementing smoke-free prison policies in England and Wales

Abstract

This paper explores prisoner and staff views of the current smoking policy in English and Welsh prisons (a partial ban permitting smoking in prison cells) and gauges perceptions of the implications of the forthcoming policy change which will see a total smoking ban within all parts of the institution. Five focus group discussions in one medium security male prison in England were undertaken. Three focus groups were undertaken with prisoners (both smokers and non-smokers) and two focus groups with staff. The findings suggest that smoking is embedded in the fabric of prison life and serves several functions, including alleviating anxiety in prisoners. The current smoking policy was perceived as being a fair policy that both supported smoking and non-smoking prisoners. There were concerns, however, that a total smoking ban would have adverse outcomes for prisoners and staff, including deleterious effects on mental health and the potential for violence. The paper concludes by suggesting that the incoming policy, which sees a total smoking ban in prisons, is laudable, but this research suggests that without careful implementation there may be adverse health and organisational outcomes.

Offenders’ perceptions of the UK prison smoking ban

“…The findings contribute to the limited available literature on the prison smoking ban from this viewpoint, including in other countries where similar bans have been implemented. This study aimed to expand upon the initial findings of Woodall and Tattersfield (2017) by gathering data across several prisons across the North of England, and additionally exploring barriers and facilitators to smoking cessation in conjunction with the smoking ban. Offenders discussed how the proposed smoking ban removed their right to choose whether they wanted to smoke, and whether they wanted to quit.…”

“…The research by Woodall and Tattersfield (2017) is unique in that there is an overall scarcity of literature investigating offenders' qualitative perceptions of smoking bans in custodial settings, despite the ban directly affecting them and their behaviour. This includes those countries where a smoking ban has already been implemented within prisons.…”

Constituents of “teabacco”: A forensic analysis of cigarettes made from diverted nicotine replacement therapy lozenges in smoke‐free prisons

“…Smoke‐free policies are increasingly being implemented in prisons around the world in response to high levels of tobacco use among people who cycle through prisons, high levels of exposure to second‐hand smoke among non‐smokers, and risk of litigation from those exposed to second‐hand smoke . Such policies have been introduced in prisons in Canada, most states of the United States (USA), several European countries, New Zealand, and in England and Wales . In Australia, complete smoke‐free policies have been introduced in all prisons in the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, and New South Wales …”

The subversion of Mill and the ultimate aim of nursing

“… Currently, prisoners can smoke in their cells, but stated policy is to move to completely smoke free prisons, implemented in stages (Woodall & Tattersfield, ). …”

“…(McAllister, 2003) Perhaps they mean that any smoking is excessive but it seems easy enough to draw a distinction between acute short-term harm 8 Today, the economic cost of obesity and smoking is prominent in policy documents, but the figures often fail to account for savings to the State due to early death (Tovey, 2017). 9 Currently, prisoners can smoke in their cells, but stated policy is to move to completely smoke free prisons, implemented in stages (Woodall & Tattersfield, 2017). 10 The comparison between prisons and mental health units has proved irresistible to those who wish to ban smoking, perhaps more so where mental health patients in secure units have committed crimes.…”