SMOKING BAN PLANNED FOR WA PRISONS

The Department of Justice has announced plans for a smoking ban in all WA prisons.

The ban will begin as a trial in Bandyup Women’s Prison from October 31, before being rolled out to other prisons later.

An Office of the Inspector of Custodial Services spokesperson said 82 per cent of prisoners smoke, compared to 11 per cent of the broader community.

Noongar woman and Project Director of the National Suicide Prevention & Trauma Recovery Project, Megan Krakouer, said riots could follow the ban.

“My gut instinct says that it probably won’t work, because [smoking] relieves a lot of stress for a lot of brothers and sisters in the prison system,” said Ms Krakouer.

“If it doesn’t work, and if they don’t supplement, we’re going to see more harm than good caused in the prison system, which may very much spark riots, which may spark also people feeling upset and angry.”

Ms Krakouer said the ban was inhumane.

“Basically, its their choice if they choose to smoke [or] if they don’t, but to take away one of the things that keeps a person calm and relax, and something that a person enjoys, is just a total violation of their rights.”

Ms Krakouer spoke to Ngaarda Media about the smoking ban, and her response to last week’s news that children who were transferred from Banksia Hill Youth Detention Centre to the Casuarina adult prison will remain there for 12-18 months. Listen below.