From 31 October 2022, Bandyup at Middle Swan east of Perth, will be smoke-free with all staff, contractors, prisoners and visitors prohibited from smoking on site.
Tobacco and tobacco-related products will not be permitted.
The pilot follows a recommendation from the Inspector of Custodial Services in 2021 that the WA Government commit to a timeline for the introduction of a smoke-free policy to improve the health outcomes of people in custody.
Smoking remains the leading cause of preventable deaths in Australia and WA is one of only two jurisdictions in the country that still allows prisoners and staff to smoke on prison grounds.
The dangerous habit is also more entrenched among Aboriginal people, women and younger people in custody and in 2020, made up more than half of all canteen sales to WA prisoners.
The Department of Justice has partnered with the Cancer Council and the Australian Council on Smoking and Health to support Bandyup become a smoke-free zone and help women overcome nicotine addiction.
“We know smoking is harmful and this pilot at Bandyup Women’s Prison is an important step in the journey of improving the health and wellbeing of people in our care,” Department of Justice Director General Adam Tomison said.
“Research shows about 80 per cent of prisoners smoke compared with 11 per cent in the community and we hope to educate and encourage them to embrace more healthy behaviours,” Dr Tomison said.
Several initiatives are already in place to help prisoners and staff reduce or quit smoking, including the introduction of smoke-free zones in prisons in 2009 and access to confidential counselling and treatment services.
Ahead of the October pilot, the supply of Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) will be increased while the availability of tobacco products will be limited.
Corrective Services Commissioner Mike Reynolds said the Department was well prepared to progress a smoke-free policy and the pilot would inform a phased roll-out across the WA custodial estate.
“Taking a staged and considered approach by working hard with our partners in the health sector to support a smoke-free Bandyup Women’s Prison is the right way to go,” Commissioner Reynolds said.
