Riot squad on standby as smoking ban is enforced in NSW jails

AN addiction expert believes banning inmates from smoking could turn tense, crowded Australian jails into mayhem and violence.

Special for Sat Tele With Benns

A tobacco-addicted inmate, tense after smoking is banned throughout New South Wales jails, finally snaps.

The prisoner is bored and angry that the one pleasure he has while locked away has been taken away by authorities, so someone has to pay.

It is a scenario that an addiction expert believes has a very real chance of playing out in a jail somewhere in NSW, where a statewide ban of smoking in jail comes into effect today.

And prison authorities aren’t taking any chances.

Specialist riot squad officers will be in jails to guard against inmates reacting furiously now the smoking ban is in force.

It’s happened before, in Australia and elsewhere around the world, and one addiction expert spoken to by news.com.au believes there is a high chance of mayhem in the weeks ahead.

Dr Alex Wodak, President of the Australian Drug Law Reform Foundation, said there were “serious concerns” that the change could result in riots and fires.

“The other concern is that the illicit drug market will get worse than it already is.”

Dr Wodak said prison was an “incredibly boring place” and increasingly crowded.

“So if you were bored out of your mind, and had people around left right and centre, and something you used to pass the time is taken away from you, it’s only a matter of time ... Something quite minor could quickly spark into something quite serious.”

It was likely inmates had been tense in the lead-up to this week’s law change as they anticipated the ban, he said.

The psychological effects of tobacco withdrawal were just one part of the problem.

“Tobacco withdrawal is very unpleasant, you look unwell and you feel terrible. And it lasts for a long time.”

It’s estimated 80 per cent of New South Wales 12,000 inmates are smokers.

Last week NSW Corrective Services chief Peter Severin told The Daily Telegraph his team was “well prepared” for whatever eventuated.

“There might be some hot spots around but we are very well prepared,” Mr Severin said.

Each member of the specialist riot squad would carry at least six tear gas canisters — and Mr Severin was confident they would go in “quick and hard” to stomp out any unrest.

They also would carry telescopic batons and are able to form their own units if a riot situation gets out of control. In that situation, another team which includes a dog squad, would also be called to restore order.

A number of measures have been taken to try and reduce the chances of violence, including security upgrades that don’t allow prisoners to gather in big numbers.

They have also been given nicotine patches and offered everything from gardening classes to yoga to help distract them.

Originally published as Riot squad on standby as smoking ban is enforced in NSW jails