Smoke-Free Prisons

Brad Rodu, the oral pathologist who has documented how cigarette smokers can dramatically reduce their health risks by switching to smokeless tobacco, comments on a bill banning tobacco in California prisons. He argues that a more enlightened policy would have allowed oral snuff as an alternative to cigarettes, thereby eliminating smoke while minimizing the black market that is bound to develop.

Comments

[Citizen]

Well if we taxpayers have to fork over for medical costs incurred by the emphezima these smoke-pipe felons develop, I can't understand why you people would want to encourage smoking. Do we want to turn out ex-felon Vin Desel look-alikes? No, but I'd support no gyms and no activity times, either. You're in jail. Sit. Think. That's all you get to do. Just sit. For 40 years to life. Don't like it? Tough. Sit down.

[Native NYer]

Citizen,

Your point certainly has merit, but without the bread and circuses wouldn't there be constant riots in prisons?

With my rehabilitation plan there any riots would be slow to break out and end quickly in apathy.

We're paying for the healthcare of felons anyway, either through the prison system or through Medicaid. They might as well be rendered harmless to everyone beside Little Debbi and the Gingerbread Man.

[late for the boom]

With all this money being spent on healthcare by the Gvt. for the poor and incarcerated you would think it would prompt quicker healthcare reform and a closer look at the state of the judicial system dont you think??

Instead, they just pass laws banning items to prisoners and cut back on more and more benifits to the poor though the welfare system that is bloated beyond belief in middle men and management.

These are the best answers they have for us???

Further proof that not only are they inept, but pretty much clueless as well.

Prison crime has almost doubled in states that banned smoking. Just look at the last 2 week standoff in AZ. Amazingly, 'free' states, have seen a decline... untill the feds step in of course.

[Brady]

The scientific research that he suggests is interesting regarding smokeless tobacco. It is kind of weird that I've always felt more guilt when I used snuff than when I've lit up. Perhaps it is all of the horror show videos they showed us in grade school about how it'll make your jaw fall off in no time.

I should have known to discredit those along with the anti-drug bullshit.

[martin]

Mo,

Yes, I was indeed being sarcastically tongue-in-cheek.
What else can one be in the face of all the control-freaks that seem to be running a lot of public offices?
"Dominate. Intimidate. Control" that sums it up perfectly. Most of these law enforcement bureaucracies are resisting outside influence and do as they can, not as they should.

[Brendan Perez]

We could reduce a lot of prison related costs is we stopepd sending people there for victimless crimes...

Once it's been pared down to those who truly deserve to be there, the additional "costs" of those smoke should be negligible compared to what we pay now.

[SteveInClearwater]

Another unintended negative effect of our current inappropriate laws against marijuana use.

If violent people could have access to pot, many would be less violent.

Potential violence from inmates is of course the biggest job danger faced by guards and staff.

Since pot is not addictive long term, inmates could selectively use it now. And likely it would reduce tobacco use as well.

Instead, it's only used by those in prison with money or those who can pay for it in the often HARD currency of the jailhouse black market...if you know what I mean, and I think you do.

[s.a.m.]

So let me get this straight, if this bill passes, it will be ok (or, look the other way policy) to get butt raped but its illegal to suck on a butt? Tell me again how the prison system is a tool for reforming criminals.

[Overlord]

Prisoners seem to have no problems getting all the illegal drugs they want, but this law will keep them from getting cigs, sure.

[Jennifer]

I'm especially interested in hearing the justification for smoke-free policies on Death Row. Since health is no longer an issue for someone due to be injected with poison next month, the powers-that-be will have to just come right out and say that they enjoy enforcing their will on others, whether or not it is necessary.

[martin]

Allowing death row inmates to smoke, is a bad idea on several grounds:
1) The state has the duty to protect the health of prison guards from the lethal qualities of second-hand smoke.
2) It would increase the risk of fire from inmates smoking in bed.
3) There is no constitutional right to smoke and therefore smoking needs to be banned.
3) Allowing smoking would be fiscally irresponsible, because inmate health care cost would rise.
4) And last, but not least, the State would needlessly endanger the health of those death row inmates later to be found innocent.

[Mo]

I hope you were being ironic martin. Lethal quantities of second hand smoke? A death row inmate that chooses to smoke is having his health endagered by the state? There's no constitutional right to television either, should we ban that? There is a constitutional right to bear arms, so should inmates be given the right to own guns?

[Gadfly]

I recall when the jail smoking ban started it was caused by the fear of lawsuits from non-smoking inmates and guards and the supposed threat to their health of the second hand thing, as Martin eloquently pointed out. That was over 10 years ago. Now it's just a stick to poke through the bars and has nothing to do with second hand smoke.

In fact, it's become popular more than ever for vote-seeking, political whores to beat up on any under-represented constituency at hand (students, inmates (especially sex offenders), smokers, dope fiends, atheists, immigrants, trees, to name a few) and they seem to use any stick at their disposal.

[Native NYer]

I don't understand. Is this policy so we have healthier thieves, rapists and killers when they're released after their 10 to 20 stretch?

Where's the sense in that?

I personally think the only thing that should be banned in prisons is exercise equipment. McDonalds should have food contracts with all prisons for all meals. Whole milk should be the only drink, perhaps just milk shakes. Smokes and twinkies should be given away for free and every con should have the right to a comfy reclining chair and a personal television set with cable.

I want these guys coming out of the joint looking and acting like Jackie Gleason, not Vin Diesel!!!

[Gadfly]

Joe Bob? Is that you?

[dj of raleigh]

We've got them locked up. Why deny smokes?
Give them a place and time to smoke if they want.
Smoking doesn't cost the society in medical.
Smokers tend to die after their most productive years,
and not linger for decades in slow decline needing
all manner of services from nursing homes to devices.
They will still give a last smoke to the guy
in the blindfold before the firing squad, I trust.

[debi]

I have a question if they (prisons) and non-smokers are worried about second hand smoke then why dont they have a prison for non-smokers only. How can someone be smoking for so many years and just because they are in prison be able to stop quickly. The smoker has the right to smoke if they want why should a non-smoker fight for the smokers to not smoke around them. If smokes arent illegal which they are not everyone has the right to their own health. There are alot of people out there who are in bad health and still smoke. Do the prisons think they are helping someone by making these rules? When the prisoners are released they will go back to smoking so what difference does it make. Also some prisons might have a designated area for the guards to smoke why cant they have a designated area for inmates. I was just curious Thank you

[Nathen]

if a person wishes to smoke and yet they are not alowed to just because they have made a mistake like going to prison they shouldnt be made to quit so fast.If the goverment wishes them to stop then they should supply some sort of control so it isnt as hard on themselves.