NCJ Number
112527
Journal
Journal of Prison and Jail Health Volume: 7 Issue: 1 Dated: (Spring/Summer 1988) Pages: 27-36
Date Published
1988
Length
10 pages
Annotation
Free tobacco products have historically been provided to inmates in U.S. penal institutions. However, a reversal of this policy is now justifiable due to the well-documented adverse health effects of smoking, including passive smoking.
Abstract
A survey of 18 representative State prisons and the Federal prison system was performed to determine: (1) the prevalence of free tobacco policies; (2) whether revoking a policy of free tobacco distribution incited prison disturbances; and (3) other policies regarding smoking in prisons. Nine prison systems (47 percent) had revoked their free tobacco policy within the past 20 years. None of these prison systems had experienced any major disturbances as a result of the policy change. No State prisons had nonsmoking areas in the living units. (Author abstract)