Nicotine lozenges used as currency among prisoners

Nicotine lozenges are being used as currency in prisons, which has led to cases of some inmates bullying and intimidating others in an effort to get their lozenges.

New Zealand prisons went smokefree in 2011 and nicotine replacement therapy lozenges were offered to those with a nicotine addiction.

But prisoners in the Reclaim Another Woman (RAW) programme, which works with Ma¯ori female recidivist offenders, said the lozenges had become a type of currency, or bartering tool, in the highly controlled prison environment.

RAW chief executive Annah Stretton said some women who did not smoke were being issued the lozenges, which were creating health and addiction, and dental issues.

Most of the RAW focus group, of seven recidivist offenders, has continued to use the lozenges on release or returned to smoking as the lozenges created ongoing dependency, Stretton said in a recent report from the organisation.

‘‘They have become a huge bartering tool, with new entrants to the prison being bullied by other women to feed their lozenge habit, or as a source of currency to gain other supplies.’’

In some cases, new inmates have emerged from their cells bruised after being physically bullied, she said.

‘‘As many of the women have some experience of dealing drugs or selling goods from criminal activity, the market in prison for lozenges continues to reinforce the same anti-social behaviour that resulted in their imprisonment in the first place.’’

Stretton advocated for removing the lozenges from prisons, saying everyone thought removing cigarettes would have disastrous consequences, but it didn’t. Bold change was needed to shift the women’s idea of normal, she added.

Corrections offender health director Bronwyn Donaldson said health staff assessed all prisoners’ smoking status when they entered prison.

Corrections staff were aware of the lozenges, and other items being used as a bartering tool, or currency, on the inside.

Because of the highly controlled nature of the environment, some common items could become valuable in prisons, Donaldson said, adding the safety of prisoners and staff was Corrections’ top priority.

‘‘Prisoners are actively encouraged to tell custodial staff if they are being intimidated or bullied for their NRT lozenges.’’

Donaldson said all tobacco and tobacco products are unauthorised items in prisons. And the decision to ban smoking in prisons had resulted in a safer, healthier environment for staff and prisoners, through improved indoor air quality and a significant reduction in fire-related incidents.

National Party corrections spokesman David Bennett said it was well known that many people entering New Zealand prisons were smokers and some would need help to quit, which was why Corrections offered prisoners help to become smoke-free, including access to the 0800 Quitline service, patches and lozenges.

‘‘It’s up to corrections to ensure that the right people are getting the lozenges and to manage any abuse of the lozenges within our prisons.

‘‘But it’s also important to remember that Corrections staff deal with the most difficult and dangerous people in society, so the Government needs to make sure that they are well resourced and supported to manage issues like this,’’ Bennett said.