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Home Office

Answer

Mr. Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department (1) if he will publish the rules which operate within prisons with regard to smoking by (a) prisoners and (b) prison officers on duty; [151163] (2) what arrangements are made to prevent prisoners from being exposed to tobacco smoke against their will. [151162] Mr. Boateng: The policy on smoking in Prison Service premises is set out in "Instruction to Governors 16/1996", issued on 21 March 1996 (a copy of which can be found in the Library). It seeks to ensure that prisoners are not exposed to tobacco smoke against their will. In particular, smoking is banned in all visits areas and governors are asked to consider bans in other communal areas and make arrangements to prevent smoking in consulting rooms in health care centres. There should also be provision for prisoners who smoke to smoke away from non-smoking prisoners within patient areas. So far as is reasonably practicable, non-smoking prisoners are not expected to share a cell with smokers. The policy is under review and it is expected to follow that of health authorities which are required to operate a smoking cessation service to support those who want to give up.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

363 c743-4W; 151163;151162

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Health education Prisoners Prisons Passive smoking Smoking Prison accommodation Prison rules Visits

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk