❓ Hon. Amber-Jade Sanderson questions the Attorney General regarding smoking policies in WA prisons, including designated smoking areas, compliance with safety regulations, and plans for phasing out smoking. The response outlines current practices, associated risks, and ongoing efforts to develop a smoking reduction model.
AnsweredQoN 370Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PRISONS —
SMOKING
370. Hon AMBER-JADE SANDERSON to the Attorney General representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
(1) Can the
minister advise whether WA prisons are non-smoking; and, if not, why not?
(2) If WA
prisons allow smoking, where is smoking permitted and why?
(3) Is it the
minister's intention to phase out smoking in prisons; and, if so, what
is the time frame for that?
SMOKING
370. Hon AMBER-JADE SANDERSON to the Attorney General representing the Minister for Corrective Services:
(1) Can the
minister advise whether WA prisons are non-smoking; and, if not, why not?
(2) If WA
prisons allow smoking, where is smoking permitted and why?
(3) Is it the
minister's intention to phase out smoking in prisons; and, if so, what
is the time frame for that?
AnswerView source ↗
On behalf of the Minister for Corrective Services, I thank
the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Staff and
prisoners are able to smoke in designated places in WA prisons. The Department
of Corrective Services acknowledges that there are risks associated with
removing smoking as a blanket ban for all prisoners and staff. These risks
include prisoner unrest from a prison-specific ban on an otherwise legal
activity in the general community, and tobacco becoming a black-market
commodity that would be difficult to detect and enforce. DCS is working through
the associated risks to determine a practical and operationally viable way
forward within the context of the WA offender population.
(2) WA prisons
have designated areas for staff and prisoners to smoke that comply with the
Occupation Safety and Health Act 1984. Designated smoking areas are located in
open areas at the requisite distance from enclosed areas. These are five metres
from a doorway and 10 metres from any air ventilation, including windows. DCS
has been issued a performance improvement notice in response to prisoners and
prison officers smoking in cells and other enclosed areas. DCS will comply with
the PIN by 30 April 2014 through the application of an assistant commissioner
custodial operations notice and a system to monitor noncompliance by prisoners
and prison officers.
(3) DCS is
developing a smoking reduction model. This includes the restriction of smoking
to designated areas, the availability of nicotine replacement therapy within
prison canteens, and access to the Department of Health's Quitline. An
assessment of risks within the prison environment and effectiveness of smoking
reduction initiatives is being undertaken prior to milestones being set for
phasing out smoking in prisons.
the honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) Staff and
prisoners are able to smoke in designated places in WA prisons. The Department
of Corrective Services acknowledges that there are risks associated with
removing smoking as a blanket ban for all prisoners and staff. These risks
include prisoner unrest from a prison-specific ban on an otherwise legal
activity in the general community, and tobacco becoming a black-market
commodity that would be difficult to detect and enforce. DCS is working through
the associated risks to determine a practical and operationally viable way
forward within the context of the WA offender population.
(2) WA prisons
have designated areas for staff and prisoners to smoke that comply with the
Occupation Safety and Health Act 1984. Designated smoking areas are located in
open areas at the requisite distance from enclosed areas. These are five metres
from a doorway and 10 metres from any air ventilation, including windows. DCS
has been issued a performance improvement notice in response to prisoners and
prison officers smoking in cells and other enclosed areas. DCS will comply with
the PIN by 30 April 2014 through the application of an assistant commissioner
custodial operations notice and a system to monitor noncompliance by prisoners
and prison officers.
(3) DCS is
developing a smoking reduction model. This includes the restriction of smoking
to designated areas, the availability of nicotine replacement therapy within
prison canteens, and access to the Department of Health's Quitline. An
assessment of risks within the prison environment and effectiveness of smoking
reduction initiatives is being undertaken prior to milestones being set for
phasing out smoking in prisons.
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