Article

Post-implementation perspectives on smokefree prison policy: a qualitative study with staff and people in custody

Details

Citation

Brown A, Mitchell D & Hunt K (2022) Post-implementation perspectives on smokefree prison policy: a qualitative study with staff and people in custody. European Journal of Public Health, 32 (1), pp. 112-118. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckab075

Abstract
Background A comprehensive smokefree prison policy (SFPP) was introduced in Scottish prisons from November 2018, reflecting concern about inequalities in occupational exposures to second-hand smoke (SHS), and tobacco-related harms among people in custody (PiC). We aimed to address a gap, whereby few studies have sought to understand SFPP from the perspectives of people living and working in prisons. Methods As part of a comprehensive evaluation, 14 focus groups with staff and 23 interviews with PiC were conducted 6-8 months post-implementation of SFPP in Scotland. Data were analysed using the framework approach. Findings Our study found that new restrictions on smoking had been widely accepted by PiC, after a period of adjustment which was less troublesome than participants had anticipated. Benefits of the SFPP for the safety and comfort of staff and PiC who were no longer exposed to SHS, and additionally for the health of PiC who were now smoking-abstinent, were widely acknowledged. Drawbacks of the SFPP, such as difficulties managing without tobacco and use of alternatives (e.g. e-cigarettes and changes in use of illegal drugs), were also reported. Contraband tobacco was not reported to be a major problem following prisons becoming smokefree. Conclusions The findings strengthen evidence that SFPPs can be implemented without causing major disruption and highlight the need for removal of tobacco to be underpinned by careful planning, partnership working, and ensuring the availability of support for smokers. Experiences from Scotland may be of interest, and some comfort, internationally for jurisdictions considering smoke-free rules in prisons.

Keywords
smokefree policy; prisoner health; qualitative research; prison staff

Journal
European Journal of Public Health: Volume 32, Issue 1

StatusPublished
FundersNIHR National Institute for Health Research
Publication date28/02/2022
Publication date online27/08/2021
Date accepted by journal14/04/2021
URLhttp://hdl.handle.net/1893/32530
ISSN1101-1262
eISSN1464-360X

People (3)

People

Ms Ashley Brown

Ms Ashley Brown

Research Fellow, Institute for Social Marketing

Professor Kate Hunt

Professor Kate Hunt

Professor, Institute for Social Marketing

Dr Danielle Mitchell

Dr Danielle Mitchell

Research Fellow, Institute for Social Marketing

Projects (1)