Smoke-Free Prison Environment
On 30th November 2018, Scottish Prisons are going smoke-free. After this date, tobacco products and smoking paraphernalia will be prohibited items in all Scottish prisons.
Currently between 70 and 80 per cent of prisoners smoke, so this will be a significant change.
Families Outside is extremely pleased that the SPS will be working with partner agencies to develop a wide range of supports and interventions to assist those in prison to give up smoking. We particularly welcome the recognition and inclusion of families as key stakeholders in this discussion: having families on side should ease the difficulties of enforced abstinence, while having them acting in opposition would no doubt enflame the situation.
Over the course of the next few months, Families Outside will continue to work with families, helping to ensure that they are both informed and included in the process.
Information will also be made available to families via prison visitor centres, including information sessions and discussion groups with prison, NHS, and visitor centre staff.
Prison visitor centres often have positive working relationships with community-based NHS staff. The visitor centre at HMP Addiewell, for example, recently won an award alongside NHS Lanarkshire for their work on smoking cessation. These are good examples that can be built upon to support families in creating smoke-free prisons.
If you would like more information on Smoke-Free Prisons in Scotland, or are concerned about the well-being of a family member in prison, please call the Families Outside Helpline on 0800 254 0088.