12 March 2009

The smoke free prison?

| johnboy
Join the conversation
42

It might not have any prisoners, but the Canberra Times reports that the Alexander Maconochie Centre (the prison to you and me) is still wrestling with the issue of smoking bans.

    ”Smoking is not permitted inside any AMC building, including cells and cottages [and] the Government is currently developing a policy regarding smoking,” the spokesman said.

So really the endless delays are a fortunate thing, providing time for essential policy formulation.

While the OH&S dream of forever ticking the “no smoking” box is a noble one to any bureaucrat, we can’t help noting that a prison population is made up of criminals and encouraging them to disable smoke alarms could be counter-productive in the long run.

Join the conversation

42
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

I think this does not happen in every country because each and every country has different rules for the ban of cigarettes.
I read it here -: http://www.ecigarettereviews.com/smoking-ban-list

I think all your first mistakes is thinking its a prison

Okay, I’ll bite..

Pragmatic1 said :

Seriously though, if I ever go to prison, I hope they let me bring my electronic cigarette. Man, I love that thing! It’s pretty much saving my life (and money, haha!)

From the website you posted:
Green Smoke Basic Starter Kit with USB – $ 149.00
Electronic Cigarette Cartridges 5PK – $ 14.95
Unfortunately, most of the cartridges are in back order. We currently only have in stock Tobacco 0mg.

In other words, in order to even try the product it will cost $165. Even at the advertised rate of 1 cartridge = 2 packs, youd have to smoke approx 40 packs to just break even. If you think this saves you money, you kinda deserve to be sucked in by the marketing. (Oh, and that $165 price will get you 0mg cartridges..)

Haha, those advertisements are bound just as funny as the anti-marijuana commercials are!

Seriously though, if I ever go to prison, I hope they let me bring my electronic cigarette. Man, I love that thing! It’s pretty much saving my life (and money, haha!) If you haven’t seen them, check out what I’m talking about at http://greensmokes.blogspot.com

*i can see the new advertisements

I can see the new laws ‘Don’t break the law, cos you don’t get to smoke in prison’

Davo111 said :

if they get caught smoking in the prison, they should just spray them with a fire house for 5 minutes. Then they get the embarrassment, and the ciggis all go soggy.

That does not work! Have you not seen First Blood? They tried that method, and it failed in a spectacular manner.

fabforty said :

This is insane. Smoking is NOT a human right. If they allow smoking for “nicotine addicts” in prison then they therefore must supply alcohol to “alcoholics”. Bundy and coke anyone ? In outside areas only, of course.

I think the ACT Government would be better served by policing the smokers it employs. I estimate the smokers in my building work an average of an hour a day less than the non-smokers. Anyone want to do the sums ?

good god no. then my little breaks would show up as unproductive wastage of time…

😉

This is insane. Smoking is NOT a human right. If they allow smoking for “nicotine addicts” in prison then they therefore must supply alcohol to “alcoholics”. Bundy and coke anyone ? In outside areas only, of course.

I think the ACT Government would be better served by policing the smokers it employs. I estimate the smokers in my building work an average of an hour a day less than the non-smokers. Anyone want to do the sums ?

WIN news will add sound the story line “Riot in Jail from smoking ban”… kinda makes you wonder where the ciggies will be hidden to avoid the cell checks.

To quote Chris Rock…. “Stop smoking that shit”

I would hazard a guess that local Gov have crunched the sums and worked out that the proceeds from tobacco taxes far exceed any expenditure they are required to contribute to smoking related health issues.

I would also guess that smoking related health issues are paid for by the Feds, so this woman can carry on about the evils of smoking, knowing full well the taxes help pay for Grasby statues.

cranky said :

The Minister Not Responsible really came across as an anti-smoking Nazi on the WIN News tonight.

A deal of thought should go into this policy, not just compliance with draconian edicts from herself!

well, as I have already said, to many, many people and some times on RA, to cure us smoking addicts, cheaply, ban tobacco. How can something so bad for us still be sold? They don’t manufacture with asbestos, so why do they sell ciggies? cost for maintaining health issues must outweigh the gain in taxation and levies…

The Minister Not Responsible really came across as an anti-smoking Nazi on the WIN News tonight.

A deal of thought should go into this policy, not just compliance with draconian edicts from herself!

I feel sorry for the prison guards, the last thing I would want is a prisoner withdrawing from smoking. Anyway, wouldn’t smoking be one of the main ways for prisoners to fill their empty days? Better that than getting up to mischief, that’s what I’d think if I were a prison guard.

caf said :

The point of it isn’t healthy choices or more punishment. It’s got nothing to do with prisoners at all, in fact – it’s simply that workers in a gaol are as entitled as any other worker to a smoke-free workplace.

Yeah, zero entitlement.

Deadmandrinking said :

Go home and think about what you said, Whatsup.

I think you thought about it a little too much DMD.

The point of it isn’t healthy choices or more punishment. It’s got nothing to do with prisoners at all, in fact – it’s simply that workers in a gaol are as entitled as any other worker to a smoke-free workplace.

Mike Crowther4:01 pm 12 Mar 09

I wish I had $1 for every prisoner who’d ever said to me “What are you gunna do chief, put us in gaol?”

Politicians that make promises they have no intention of keeping find its a short step to making up rules that, whilst appealing to some sections of the community ( “…healthy choices…..more punishment…etc) can’t actually be enforced.
And so the downward spiral continues……

Kramer said :

Before we address the issue of being smoke-free, maybe we need to address the issue of being prisoner-free?

(AMC – Australia’s first prisoner-free prison)

Think of the boasts.

Rate of recidivism: 0%
No. of escapes: 0
Effectiveness of security equipment and software: 100%
No. of prisoners caught smoking inside: 0
No. of prisoners who fail to quit smoking: 0

Before we address the issue of being smoke-free, maybe we need to address the issue of being prisoner-free?

(AMC – Australia’s first prisoner-free prison)

Davo111 said :

if they get caught smoking in the prison, they should just spray them with a fire house for 5 minutes. Then they get the embarrassment, and the ciggis all go soggy.

That would be a terrible waste of water!

if they get caught smoking in the prison, they should just spray them with a fire house for 5 minutes. Then they get the embarrassment, and the ciggis all go soggy.

Whatsup said :

Will only tobacco cigarettes be banned ? That leaves a bit of scope.

Deadmandrinking said :

Go home and think about what you said, Whatsup.

aren’t they going to include herbal cigarrettes?
a bit of damiana might lighteb the mood around the place.

barking toad – I believe the smoking police is about all smoking, staff included.

neanderthalsis11:37 am 12 Mar 09

I can’t think of our vaunted Alexander Maconochie centre without thinking of the Great McGonagall (William McGonagall, regarded as the worst poet in British history) and the Milligan / Sellars portrayal of him. The John Stanhope Memorial Human Rights Friendly Incarceration Facility for Societies Poor Unfortunate Detainees (JSMHRFIFSPUD)certainly has all the farcical elements of a milligan sketch.

Deadmandrinking11:32 am 12 Mar 09

Go home and think about what you said, Whatsup.

Will only tobacco cigarettes be banned ? That leaves a bit of scope.

Perhaps new guys arses will become currency.

What will the prisoners use for currency in prison. If you can smoke, it’s no use trading the new guys arse for a 20 smokes.

Deadmandrinking10:57 am 12 Mar 09

I wouldn’t want to work in a prison where the prisoners are not allowed to smoke. Imagine the violence!

barking toad10:57 am 12 Mar 09

#14 FC

“A policy will be developed in regard to smoking….”

Like the policy in relation to drugs?

A detailed policy developed by the social engineers will be adhered to by the punters when they eventually check in at the motel?

Hahahahahahahaha!

Hippies are funny.

This is complete rubbish. IS the Canberra times registered as a “gossip mag”

“Prison officers are worried that a proposed smoking ban at the ACT’s first jail will lead to a backlash from inmates.

The move would make the prison one of the first in the country to ban smoking indoors.

The plan would see prisoners restricted to lighting up outside, but the ACT Government says full details of the policy are yet to be finalised. “

There seems to be nothing but speculation in this article.
A policy will be developed in regard to smoking, where it is permitted, where not etc.
There will not be a complete ban on smoking outside.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy said :

Prisoners should only be allowed to smoke in the jacuzzi, definitely NOT in the theatre, spa or wine bar.

No – the jaccuzi should be left alone, giving prisoners a sanctuary from the tribulations of the day, where they can unwind and discuss their plans for what they’ll do when they get out – opening a small business, going back to uni, working with people with disabilities, fund-raising for children with cancer, doing something for the environment etc. What about an outdoor area adjacent to the wine bar? Perahps with a barbecue so prisoners can cook their own dinner?

jakez said :

Furry Jesus said :

What’s next? Forcing prisoners to eat muesli and tofu burgers?

Tofu burgers? Now that is a violation of someones natural rights.

You’re right – I forgot that denial of liberty is a punishment in itself. However, I believe that somewhere underneath this nannyist thinking is an attempt to address prisoner health (and for the guards too – 40% of guards smoke cf 80% of prisoners).

The article said that a smoking ban was introduced to Greenough Regional Prison in July 08, and only one prisoner had tried to stop smoking, although a few others had asked for nicotine patches. Given the stellar success of this attempt, one wonders what plans Corrections has for helping smokers give up, or cope with withdrawals. Something based on their effective programs for helping prisoners stop offending or get off drugs, perhaps?

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy10:14 am 12 Mar 09

Prisoners should only be allowed to smoke in the jacuzzi, definitely NOT in the theatre, spa or wine bar.

johnboy said :

This new subject is about a total ban on the grounds of the facility.

Yeah, I’d like to see that ??? For being such a tree huggy prison, I am very surprised to see them trying ban smoking everywhere there ?? Does this also mean that the employee’s at the prison will npt be allowed to smoke either ??

Furry Jesus said :

What’s next? Forcing prisoners to eat muesli and tofu burgers?

Tofu burgers? Now that is a violation of someones natural rights.

What’s next? Forcing prisoners to eat muesli and tofu burgers?

This new subject is about a total ban on the grounds of the facility.

DarkLadyWolfMother9:58 am 12 Mar 09

Is taking away someone’s right to smoke a violation of their human rights?

I think there is just the ban of smoking inside the buidling. (which makes complete sense as it is banned inside all other buildings in the ACT [with the exception of BRC]), but with the way the prison is set out, can’t they just go to a “fresh air” area to have a cigarette.

frontrow. people go to gaol as a punishment, not for punishment.

Why do prisoners get to smoke? I thought jail was a punishment.

I don’t smoke. My vices of choice are alcohol and “all the pies”. I suspect prisoners don’t get to enjoy those.

barking toad9:23 am 12 Mar 09

They can’t keep drugs out of prisons but they’ll be able to stop smoking in this shrine to human rights incarceration!

Hahahahahahahahahaha!

The only way that will happen is if there are no inmates. Oh, hang on ……..

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.