HOLY SMOKES
Lags rip up Bibles to roll illicit fags
CONS are ripping up Bibles to make cigarette papers in the wake of the prison smoking ban.
Christian inmates say it is sacrilege that pages from the holy book are being rolled into “Frankenstein fags”, often containing dried tea leaves and nicotine patch scrapings.
Jails began phasing out tobacco in September and prisoners, 80% of whom smoke, soon discovered Bible pages are thin and plentiful. An unnamed inmate at HMP Garth, Lancs, where a quarter of lags are C of E and a quarter Catholic, highlighted the problem in a prison mag.
He wrote: “When did people think it was OK to rip the Bible up and effectively burn it? I would feel the same way if it was any holy book. I urge those doing this to stop immediately if they have any respect for other people’s beliefs.”
Smuggled-in 25g pouches of tobacco now sell for up to £150 in jails – 25 times the shop price. A single roll-ups fetches £5 to £10.
The Prison Service said: “If staff find prisoners smoking the offender will face additional punishment.”