Colouring-in books, yoga and origami for smoke-ban prisoners
Lags denied tobacco given new activities to fill time
Smoking, me? I was at my knitting class, Mr Mackay
CRIMINALS will be given free colouring-in books, knitting and origami to alleviate ‘boredom’ as Scotland’s prisons go smoke free today.
The historic move to ban smoking in jails is being backed by craft activities, stress-balls and mindfulness sessions for thousands of prisoners who will be forced to give up cigarettes.
The details are set out in guidance to prisons by NHS Health Scotland, which has set out the ‘requirements’ for the services which are to be offered to help prisoners cope.
Almost 80 per cent of Scotland’s inmates are believed to smoke compared to less than 20 per cent of people outside prison.
But last night justice campaigners said the money would be better spent on victims.
The ‘Smoke free prisons pathway’ will see every smoker admitted to custody offered a free e-cigarette, then given the option of quitting cold turkey or taking free nicotine replacement therapy, or buying their own ecigs from prison shops.
A total of £200,000 will also be spent on vaping kits for those in custody at the time of the ban. But ‘diversionary activities’ are also included in the NHS guidance.
It states: ‘Smoking is described by some in custody as a way of dealing with boredom and isolation. Offering access to alternative activities to reduce stress or boredom, known as diversionary activities, is a factor in the success of prison smoking cessation interventions.’
The report states diversionary activities ‘endorsed’ by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) include in-cell workouts, yoga, colouring-in, dotto-dot puzzles, origami, stress balls and video games.
The guidance adds: ‘People in our care who smoked in the community may find the periods when they are locked in their cell especially challenging. NHS advice is to keep busy, in particular to keep the hands busy. Prisons and health boards should collaborate to ensure materials are available for in-cell activity free of charge to any person in custody who would benefit.
‘Colouring-in books and pencils have proved to be popular, effective and affordable. Prison libraries may stock jigsaw puzzles to loan out.’
Prisoners caught smoking would be punished under prison rules which can include loss of privileges or wages, and they – and staff or visitors caught smoking on the grounds – could also be liable for £50 fixed fines.
The cost of providing the activities has not been published. But
‘Benefit of so many freebies’
Jean Taylor, founder of the victims’ charity Families Fighting for Justice, said: ‘These craft activities would be better given to charities who help children affected by crimes.
‘If someone is in prison and they smoke why should money be thrown at them to help them stop? If they don’t have the willpower that’s their problem.’
Liam Kerr, Scottish Tory justice spokesman, said: ‘The law-abiding public has a right to wonder why prisoners are getting the benefit of so many freebies they themselves do not have access to.’
Restrictions on smoking in enclosed public spaces, including most workplaces, were implemented in 2006 in Scotland.
However, prisoners have been allowed to smoke in cells and during outdoor recreation. As of today tobacco will be banned from all prisons in Scotland and it will be a criminal offence to bring tobacco into a prison.
The sale of tobacco in prisons ceased last week. The SPS has also has set up smoking cessation groups and access to nicotine replacements.
Vaping kits will be free for the next two months. They will then be subsidised until April, and after that prisoners will have to pay the normal price for e-cigarette equipment.
A spokesman for the SPS said: ‘Smoking is a real issue in prisons and rates of passive smoking, which affects staff and other prisoners, are extremely high. Prisons are not just a living environment but a working environment for our staff.
‘These diversionary activities are being made available in conjunction with NHS support as a therapeutic means to help people cope.’