Prison disruption feared if smoking is banned

A pilot scheme which will monitor how prisoners react to the move is being planned by the Government but sites have not yet been chosen.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice said: “We are considering banning smoking across the prison estate and as part of this are looking at possible sites as early adopters.”

The pilot scheme is expected to begin next spring and, if it is considered successful, the ban would be enforced at all prisons in England and Wales within 12 months according to newspaper reports yesterday morning.

However, concerns quickly emerged from welfare campaigners that the ban could cause disruption in prisons, as about 80 per cent of inmates in England and Wales are believed to smoke, according to the NHS.

Steve Gillan, general secretary of the Prison Officers’ Association, said that introducing the ban would be difficult, adding: “There is no pretending otherwise. It could cause disturbances but they have done it successfully in Canada and in young offender institutions in England and Wales.”

“We welcome this move,” he said. “It is our policy to have smoke-free prisons for our members.”