Inmates face a ban on smoking in cells
Wednesday 16th December 2009, 2:29PM GMT.
PRISONERS could be banned from smoking in their cells.
Home minister Geoff Mahy said the department was reviewing the system that allows inmates to smoke in their cells and in the yard, but not in communal inside areas.
Home is looking at other jurisdictions – particularly the Isle of Man which recently introduced a ban.
‘We are trying to glean more information from elsewhere – I’m not sure what Jersey does, for example,’ he said. ‘Clearly we are looking at it, but it’s a difficult one. What we are looking for is a ruling that is both fair for prisoners but also health conscious.
‘At the moment, if these prisoners were in their own homes they would be allowed to smoke legally, so one has to get a sensible balance.’
Deputy Mahy said nothing had yet been decided. ‘Whether we want to take the matter further I do not know,’ he said. ‘We need to find out more about the impact of the Isle of Man decision. I’m not sure whether it’s a pilot plan there to see how it develops or whether it’s permanent.’
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About time! TVs next – get the inmates to do community based work and minimilize prvileges.
They have it too soft.
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I am led to believe the complete ban on smoking in the Isle of Man prison has been unsuccessful as it has created a black market for tobacco and led people to smoking other substances. I would like to know what it costs the tax payers for the alternatives such as nicotine replacement. If they are going to smoke they may as well pay the taxes on the cigarettes like other smokers have to. Smoking in designated areas can be used in a positive way for instance good behaviour. Maybe these questions should be put to the Isle of Man before you make a decision.
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absolute tosh, there is a human rites law ya know?! if it was there own flat they could. Yes drug rehab and withdrawal but cigarettes is just petty
if we all gave up smoking tomorrow states would have to find something else to tax heavily as theyd lose millions!!!!!!! its not illegal and im sick of people dictating what we can do and where we can do it. I’ll be in prison if they make smoking in cars illegal with kids in them……coz id do it anyway
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melissa
Maybe those kids are fed up of being dictated too aswell?
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melissa, it is not a violation of human rights, you should refrain from smoking too much around children.
I smoke but cannot do in my flat, perhaps I could take my landlord to the European Court of Human Rights?!
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If you want my opinion its terrible that these poor people have their lives ruined by prison … you take them away from their freinds and families, you stop them being able to go out and get work, you control what they eat, when they eat, when they sleep, and now they can’t smoke !!! It is quite literally the last straw, taking away what little freedom they may have left.
Wheras their victims are allowed to carry on swanning about doing whatever they please whenever they please wherever they please …
Honestly, what a topsy turvey terrible world we live in where such injustices against personal freedom is not only alowed to continue, but is actively encouranged.
I think we should start up a campaign to free these people straight away and restore their full human rights …. just because they commit a crime, is this any reason to carry on the way we do ???? …..
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melissa
It should be illegal to smoke whilst any non smokers, especially children, are in an enclosed space.
I despise everything about your ilk who feel that their filthy habit and inconvenience is more important than their children’s health.
You should be really ashamed of your actions. Not setting much of an example are you.
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people who go to prison are there for a reason. they should not be given cigarettes or any other kind of luxery. they should suffer,they are there for a reason not a bloody holliday they get it far to easy in there thats why some like to go back.
i am a smoker i can not smoke in my house and i respect that rule
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If I recall correctly, the States Prison was omitted from the original smoking ban in 2006 following representations, from the Home Dept. among others, I think.
The basis of the argument seemed to be:
1. Banning the use of tobacco inside the Prison would make the management of prisoners materially more difficult; and
2. The legislation was not designed to prevent people from smoking in their homes – and it may be considered that the Prison is, indeed, the prisoner’s home, albeit temporarily.
Hopefully the Home Dept. will advise further once it has considered the evidence of the IoM experience more thoroughly.
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