BBC: New Zealand is to ban smoking throughout the country's prisons from 1 July 2011, Corrections Minister Judith Collins has announced.
The announcement has prompted concerns that violence in prisons could increase if prisoners are denied tobacco.
But Ms Collins dismissed the warnings and said high levels of smoking were a risk to staff and prisoners.
About 5,700 prisoners - two-thirds of the current total in New Zealand prisons - are smokers.
The corrections minister said smoking bans had been introduced in prisons in the US, Canada and Australia.
"We don't supply alcohol to prisoners because they are alcoholics, we don't supply them with all sorts of drugs and methamphetamine because they happen to be addicted to methamphetamine," Ms Collins said.
"This is a prison. It's not home. It's actually a prison. So it will be a total ban across all prisons. Not in the cells, not even out in the yard."
Prisoners will also be banned from having matches and lighters which some use to damage property, such as throwing burning balls of toilet paper at guards and setting fires in their cells. >>> | Monday, June 28, 2010
NZ HERALD: Prison guards have been threatened with "the bash" when the ban on inmates smoking takes effect in a year, says the guards' union.
President Beven Hanlon says the ban will put guards and staff such as tutors who remain smokers in danger from prisoners.
"Not just prisoners who get frustrated at smelling fresh smoke on you and just lash out, but because you are introducing an item that is suddenly a high-priority contraband item.
"The prisoners will do anything to get hold of it."
He said staff from around the country had phoned him yesterday to report prisoners saying, "If you guys are going to get rid of smoking, you are going to get the bash. We'll just take it out on you."
Mr Hanlon said he was threatened at Hawkes Bay Prison yesterday by two prisoners who identified him as someone who had talked about the issue on television.
"They were saying, 'We'll punch you in the head'."
Corrections staff will be encouraged to give up smoking, but will be allowed to smoke in designated areas - although not near prisoners. >>> Andrew Young | Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Related: Ending duty-free tobacco unlikely: Key >>> NZPA | Tuesday, June 29, 2010
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