SA correctional staff prepare for potential riots as jails go smoke-free

Prison officers are being prepared for potential riots when jails go smoke-free next year.

• 2011: Prison smoking ban first raised
• 2017: Union demanded Government fast-track smoking ban
• DECEMBER: $250k in nicotine patches to help prisoners kick habit
• FEBRUARY: Labor said it would ban smoking in all SA jails by 2019
• OCTOBER: Adelaide Women’s Prison to go smoke free next year

Prison officers are being prepared for potential riots when jails go smoke-free next year.

Jail staff will be armed with shields, batons and capsicum spray, while SA Police STAR Group officers will be ready to intervene in major incidents should prisoners revolt over having to butt out.

Smoking will be banned at Adelaide Women’s Prison from February, ahead of all of SA’s prisons going smoke-free by 2020.

Dates for implementing the smoking ban at jails including Yatala Labour Prison are expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The State Government has budgeted $6.2 million for the initiative.

A Correctional Services spokeswoman told The Advertiser the department was undertaking precautionary measures in anticipation of backlash from prisoners.

“The department … recognises that the transition period represents a heightened period of risk and (has) planned for the full range of incident contingencies from abusive and threatening behaviour, increased assaults through to more significant incidents,” she said.

The spokeswoman said prison officers were receiving extra training for emergencies and would be given a range of protective equipment.

The Adelaide Women;s Prison at Northfield will be the first to go smoke-free. Picture: Calum Robertson

“The department has increased investment in intelligence officers, security and emergency management and the operational security unit, and (is) increasing the size of our emergency response groups,” she said.

Protective measures would include emergency response kits with protective clothing, shields and batons, ranging up to “more specialist, less lethal weaponry such as chemical agent dispensers (capsicum spray) and bean bag rounds”.

SA Police, including its specialist STAR Group, would be on hand to assist in the case of a major incident.

“Police and STAR Group officers will be fully briefed on all aspects of the smoke-free journey and would be requested to assist DCS during a major incident if DCS were unable to contain an emergency,” the spokeswoman said.

Prison staff have already undertaken live exercises with emergency response groups and security managers to practise dealing with unrest.

Correctional Services Minister Corey Wingard outlined the initiatives in State Parliament in response to a question from the Opposition about what was being done to keep prison officers safe during the smoke-free transition.

“The department is also working with SA Health to ensure there are a range of smoking cessation supports. This will include both pharmacological supports such as nicotine replacement therapy and diversionary activities for prisoners,” he said.