Bandyup became the first custodial facility in WA to convert to a smoke-free site on 31 October.
Together with the health and money-saving benefits flowing from the smoke-free initiative, Bandyup has seen an unexpected uptick in education participation among prisoners.
“We’ve seen an absolute culture shift. The non-smoking project has definitely had a positive impact on their engagement in education and desire to learn,” Acting Prisoner Education Campus Manager Fiona McGregor said.
“The non-smoking pilot has meant increased engagement in education as some women no longer hanker for a ‘smoko’ break and would rather return to education than stay in the residential wing in the afternoons for a smoke.”
She said this has been complemented by an increased number of Bandyup prisoners attending classes, with greater retention and finishing rates expected in their education and training.
“The women are achieving much improved rates of completion, with fewer dropping out and more wanting to take part,” Ms McGregor said.
The prisoners’ education and training timetable comprises a host of learning opportunities including Certificate I and II courses, literacy and numeracy subjects and work-ready programs such as supply chain logistics, barista training, construction, forklift driving, first aid and more.
Some of the students, currently undertaking Certificate II-level literacy studies at Bandyup, are hoping to do a bridging course next year as a precursor to tertiary education.
One of the prisoners described the smoking ban as a case of “out of sight, out of mind” that has helped sharpen her focus on education.
“I’m more alert (at our education sessions) and able to complete tasks and a full day’s schedule,” she said.
Acting Corrective Services Commissioner Christine Ginbey said the Department of Justice would assess the impacts of the smoke-free pilot at Bandyup before moving to a staged phasing-out of smoking across all the State’s custodial estate.
"The Bandyup pilot will help inform the smoke-free rollout and underlines our ongoing commitment to provide healthy and safe prisons for staff and those in our care,” she said.
