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Target date in 2018 for smoke-free Scottish prisons | Target date in 2018 for smoke-free Scottish prisons |
(35 minutes later) | |
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has said it intends to make Scotland's prisons smoke free by next year. | The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) has said it intends to make Scotland's prisons smoke free by next year. |
The date was announced at the launch of a major report into prison workers' exposure to second-hand smoke. | The date was announced at the launch of a major report into prison workers' exposure to second-hand smoke. |
It showed high levels of second-hand smoke in parts of some prisons. | It showed high levels of second-hand smoke in parts of some prisons. |
Under the SPS plan, inmates will not be allowed to smoke after November 2018. Smoking is currently allowed within cells and in some outside spaces within prison sites. | Under the SPS plan, inmates will not be allowed to smoke after November 2018. Smoking is currently allowed within cells and in some outside spaces within prison sites. |
A smoking ban has been progressively introduced to England's prisons and now applies to more than half of them. | |
The large scale Tobacco in Prison Study (TIPS) was led by the University of Glasgow, with input from the University of Aberdeen. | The large scale Tobacco in Prison Study (TIPS) was led by the University of Glasgow, with input from the University of Aberdeen. |
A survey by the Scottish Prison Service in 2015 found that 72% of those in custody smoked - more than three times the rate of the general population. | A survey by the Scottish Prison Service in 2015 found that 72% of those in custody smoked - more than three times the rate of the general population. |
Scotland introduced a ban on smoking in enclosed public places in 2006, but it did not apply to prisons. | Scotland introduced a ban on smoking in enclosed public places in 2006, but it did not apply to prisons. |
However, prison rules were amended at the time to restrict smoking to certain areas, such as cells and outdoor recreation spaces. | However, prison rules were amended at the time to restrict smoking to certain areas, such as cells and outdoor recreation spaces. |
Claims 'backed up' | Claims 'backed up' |
Announcing the new plan for prisons, SPS chief executive Colin McConnell said: "We were both surprised and shocked by the level of exposure to second-hand smoke - not generally but more specifically in some of the hot spots that we have." | Announcing the new plan for prisons, SPS chief executive Colin McConnell said: "We were both surprised and shocked by the level of exposure to second-hand smoke - not generally but more specifically in some of the hot spots that we have." |
"Some particular areas of our prisons are more problematic than others and the different times of the day are more problematic than others." | "Some particular areas of our prisons are more problematic than others and the different times of the day are more problematic than others." |
Staff, visitors and contractors are not permitted to smoke anywhere on SPS property. | Staff, visitors and contractors are not permitted to smoke anywhere on SPS property. |
A small number of prisons in Scotland have designated a proportion of their residential areas as smoke-free. | A small number of prisons in Scotland have designated a proportion of their residential areas as smoke-free. |
The move towards smoke-free prisons is in keeping with the Scottish government's aim of creating a "tobacco-free generation" by 2034. | The move towards smoke-free prisons is in keeping with the Scottish government's aim of creating a "tobacco-free generation" by 2034. |
SPS, the Scottish government and the NHS have said they will work together to help those in custody stop smoking. | SPS, the Scottish government and the NHS have said they will work together to help those in custody stop smoking. |
Phil Fairlie, chairman of the Prison Officers' Association Scotland, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Our members have claimed and argued all along, since the smoking ban was introduced, that they are constantly exposed to very high levels of smoking inside prisons. | Phil Fairlie, chairman of the Prison Officers' Association Scotland, told BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "Our members have claimed and argued all along, since the smoking ban was introduced, that they are constantly exposed to very high levels of smoking inside prisons. |
"This survey, for the first time provides data to back up that claim and the concern that's been raised by staff throughout those years. | "This survey, for the first time provides data to back up that claim and the concern that's been raised by staff throughout those years. |
"Higher than 75% of the prison population smoke so it's a very high number of people who are involved in that activity." | "Higher than 75% of the prison population smoke so it's a very high number of people who are involved in that activity." |
'Common sense' | 'Common sense' |
The proposed ban has been strongly criticised by an organisation promoting smokers' rights. | The proposed ban has been strongly criticised by an organisation promoting smokers' rights. |
Forest said the prison service should show "common sense" and abandon the plan. | Forest said the prison service should show "common sense" and abandon the plan. |
Director Simon Clark said: "The risks of second-hand smoke have been greatly exaggerated. Allowing inmates to smoke in their cells poses no significant risk to prison officers. | Director Simon Clark said: "The risks of second-hand smoke have been greatly exaggerated. Allowing inmates to smoke in their cells poses no significant risk to prison officers. |
"On the other hand, banning smoking in prisons risks inflaming a tense and sometimes violent environment. | "On the other hand, banning smoking in prisons risks inflaming a tense and sometimes violent environment. |
"Tobacco is an important currency in prison. The removal of one of the few privileges inmates are allowed could also fuel the use of illicit substances." | "Tobacco is an important currency in prison. The removal of one of the few privileges inmates are allowed could also fuel the use of illicit substances." |
But anti-smoking campaigners have backed the ban. | But anti-smoking campaigners have backed the ban. |
"There was research published this morning which showed the extent to which there is smoke throughout the prison estate," said ASH Scotland deputy chief executive John Watson. | "There was research published this morning which showed the extent to which there is smoke throughout the prison estate," said ASH Scotland deputy chief executive John Watson. |
"That gives us a real reason for changing it and the fact that it's so common in prisons actually makes that case more urgent." | "That gives us a real reason for changing it and the fact that it's so common in prisons actually makes that case more urgent." |