Smoking will be banned in WA prisons, in a move that risks a new riot flashpoint in jails across the State.
The ban will begin at Bandyup Women’s Prison, where inmates will be forced to stub out on October 31.
Prison bosses will evaluate the fallout with the attempt of making all other jails smoke-free.
WA is the only jurisdiction in Australia where smoking is allowed in jail. Prisoners are allowed to light up outdoors.
Previous governments have toyed with the idea because exposing prison staff to passive smoke rubs against occupational health and safety laws. But successive administrations have shied away from a ban for fear of inciting riots.
Four in five prisoners smoke and each year 5000 smokers spend $10 million on tobacco at jail canteens – half of all sales. A 25g pouch of White Ox tobacco costs $63.10.
The change at Bandyup will see prisoners, staff, contractors and visitors stopped from lighting up.
Nicotine patches are other products will be made available and QUIT support programs rolled out to the 161 Bandyup inmates who smoke.
Tobacco products will be limited in the lead up to the October 31 deadline to stop stockpiling.
The harmful effects of smoking and its impact on those who inhale second-hand smoke is well-documented and this move is an opportunity for prisoners to quit and have a fresh start.
The prison watchdog, the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services, estimates that 82 per cent of prisoners smoked, compared with 11 per cent of the free community.
The 2021 study found Aboriginal people, women and younger inmates were more likely to be smokers.
The ban would ensure jails comply with the Work Health and Safety Act 2021. It is understood there are five children staying at Bandyup with their mothers.
“The Bandyup Women’s Prison trial is part of the WA Government’s commitment to provide a healthy and safe environment for those in the care of, working or visiting custodial facilities,” Corrective Services Minister Bill Johnston said.
“The harmful effects of smoking and its impact on those who inhale second-hand smoke is well-documented and this move is an opportunity for prisoners to quit and have a fresh start.
“WA and the ACT are the only Australian jurisdictions where smoking is allowed in prisons, with smoke-free policies successfully implemented everywhere else.
“We are taking a staged, cautious and considered approach to ensure a smoke-free Bandyup Women’s Prison.”
The Department of Justice is finalizing the schedule for bans in other facilities.
Tobacco will likely become sought-after contraband but the ban should reduce the number of fires lit deliberately by prisoners because of the availability of lighters and matches.
The move will be supported by the WA Prison officers Union, which has lobbied for the change.
In 2014 WorkSafe issued the Department of Corrective Services with an improvement notice, giving it until April 2015 to stop prisoners lighting up indoors.
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