PRISON SMOKING BAN STARTS

Photo courtesy Sillyputtyenemies

A smoke-free pilot program started yesterday at Bandyup Women's Prison.

Cigarettes and tobacco products are no longer on sale to prisoners at the facility and have been listed among contraband items at the site.

Smoking within the Middle Swan grounds is now prohibited for all prisoners, visitors, contractors, and staff as part of a move to phase out smoking at all Western Australian prisons.

WA Corrective Services minister Bill Johnston said his government was giving prisoners an opportunity to quit and have a fresh start.