Smoking ban under spotlight after Melbourne prison riot

On Tuesday, hundreds of prisoners lit fires, broke walls and smashed windows in a 15-hour riot at a Melbourne prison in what authorities believe may have been a reaction to a smoking ban at the remand facility.

It was one of the worst prison riots in recent memory and authorities and commentators moved quickly to either condemn or support the state-wide prison smoking ban.

Western Australian Corrective Services Minister Joe Francis says his state won't be following the Victorian model yet.

Addictive

He says the riot affirmed his decision to reject calls from prison officers for a full ban on smoking in his state's prisons, where inmates are still permitted to smoke in designated outdoor areas.

"As a former smoker, I can tell you it's a bloody difficult habit to kick," he told a Perth radio station.

He says many prisoners are already going "cold turkey" on drug or alcohol addictions, are separated from their family and often suffering mental health issues.

His prison officers are "bitterly divided" on the issue and have warned him a ban could lead to prisoner riots.

"My gut instinct is that banning smoking in prisons is a bridge too far for many people," he says.

"Prisoners are sent to prison as punishment not for punishment."

 

(BBC)