- Three metropolitan women’s prisons to join Bandyup in prohibiting smoking
- Move is latest step towards phasing out tobacco use at WA prisons
- Policy has health and financial benefits for prisoners and staff
All metropolitan women’s prisons will become smoke-free under the next step in phasing out smoking across Western Australia’s custodial facilities.
By 28 March smoking will be prohibited on the grounds of Melaleuca, Boronia and Wandoo women’s prisons as well as at the Corrective Services Academy.
The facilities are following in the footsteps of Bandyup Women’s Prison, which became the first WA prison to go smoke-free in October 2022.
Staff at the other women’s prisons are helping prepare prisoners for the policy through health, education and recreation programs, access to nicotine replacement therapy products and limiting the sale of tobacco products.
Once implemented, detainees, staff, contractors and visitors will not be allowed to smoke or possess tobacco-related products at these sites.
The Department of Justice will be supporting prisoners and staff during the rollout in cooperation with the Cancer Council of WA and Australian Council on Smoking and Health.
Phasing out smoking across the custodial estate was a key recommendation by the Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services and will bring WA into line with all other Australian states and territories.
The transition to WA prisons going smoke-free is being done in a cautious and considered manner.
Lessons learned from making the women’s estate smoke-free will inform subsequent rollouts across men’s and regional prisons.
As stated by Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia:
“I’m pleased to see all of the women’s prisons joining Bandyup in going smoke-free.
“This a great development for the health and wellbeing of the prisoners and staff at these facilities.
“Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in Australia. The harmful effects of smoking and exposure to second-hand smoke is well documented.
“We know that prisoners are far more likely to smoke than the rest of the community and the rate is even higher among Aboriginal people and women entering prison.
“Smoking is also a financial drain on prisoners and this is an opportunity for them to embrace healthy behaviours and make better life choices for themselves and their families.”
