Vaping News

Brum Lags Want Fags

Experts warned of the consequences of the current smoking/vaping prison policy – now it’s happening.

Share on:
HMP Birmingham had a reputation for being an orderly, well-run establishment. Then it was handed over to G4S in 2011, the first privatised prison. Since then it has developed a reputation for squalor, violence and an unsolvable drugs problem. The city jail, formerly Winson Green, holds up to 1,450 inmates and exploded in violence last week.

We reported how experts were warning that if prisons pushed through with the workplace smoking bans there would be violence. A memo went out to all inmates which said: “We will continue to support prisoners who currently smoke by increasing the number of staff who can deliver ‘stop smoking’ services through the establishment. I encourage you to start your preparation now and apply for ‘stop smoking’ services.”

The prison service undertook trials with a specially designed electronic cigarette, but the rollout has not gone smoothly and there has been a reluctance to switch over from smoking “snout”.

It was noted that during the trial period, where cigarettes were limited or banned, increased levels of self-harm, violence and the use of illegal drugs accompanied the move. Expert Alex Cavendish warned: “We have a mental health crisis, fuelled by under-staffing and overcrowding, as well as the fact that prisons are already awash with drugs and mobile phones, as every report from HP Inspectorate confirms. You’ve already got an epidemic of suicide, self-harm and violence both against staff and other inmates. The experience of the pilot projects of the smoking ban that they’ve run from last year shows that there are very serious concerns.”

When the new boss of HMP Birmingham took over one month ago, even he noted: “[The] prison is dangerous, dirty and overrun with drugs”. Violence has proliferated since the riot last year, fuelled by addictions to Mamba and the debts owed to dealers.

It was a powder keg waiting to be ignited and, as predictable as it was avoidable, the cigarette ban introduced on September 1st provided the spark. Tornado teams, special operations squads trained in dealing with prison riot situations, were dispatched from across the country.

“We want burn, we want burn,” chanted the rioters – demanding access to tobacco.

A spokesperson said: “Specially trained prison staff successfully resolved an incident at HMP Birmingham on 3 September. There were no injuries to staff or prisoners. We do not tolerate violence in our prisons, and are clear that those responsible will be referred to the police and could spend longer behind bars.”

What is clear is that if vaping is going to provide a way to help prisoners make the transition away from smoking then it needs to be handled in a better fashion than this. The blanket ban is doing nothing more than placing under-funded, over-worked staff in danger.

Dave Cross avatar

Dave Cross

Journalist at POTV
View Articles

Dave is a freelance writer; with articles on music, motorbikes, football, pop-science, vaping and tobacco harm reduction in Sounds, Melody Maker, UBG, AWoL, Bike, When Saturday Comes, Vape News Magazine, and syndicated across the Johnston Press group. He was published in an anthology of “Greatest Football Writing”, but still believes this was a mistake. Dave contributes sketches to comedy shows and used to co-host a radio sketch show. He’s worked with numerous start-ups to develop content for their websites.

Join the discussion

Product

Parliament Fears Two

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs faced questions from a Conservative MP and, oddly, a member of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Vaping News

Harm Reduction For The Rich

The United Kingdom risks becoming a harm reduction country only for the wealthy, according to Michael Landl of the World Vapers’ Alliance

Vaping News

Sacrificing Health For 2p Cut

Tory Government alienates vaping voters with its mission to cut tax by an unaffordable 2p to attract voters by placing a tax on vape products in the forthcoming budget

Vaping News

Scotland Announces Single-Use Vape Action

A ban on the sale and supply of single-use vapes in Scotland is due to come into effect on 1 April 2025, under proposed legislation published today