Tobacco stash reveals black market economy at Port Augusta Prison

Prisoners were stockpiling tobacco, ready to make a huge profit when smoking was banned. But guards have thwarted the plan.

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Port Augusta Prison guards have uncovered a huge stash of tobacco that was stockpiled to create an illicit trade once a ban on all smoking at the site came into effect this week.

Correctional Services Minister Corey Wingard said there was enough to create a market among the inmates.

Last week staff found bulk tobacco pouches in a prison kitchen area, large enough to be part of a trade and sale system.

Mr Wingard said the items seized were eight 50g pouches, six 25g pouches, 23 cigarette lighters and 78 tally-ho paper packets.

A stash of smoking products found at Port Augusta Prison. Picture: SA Police

“Tobacco is often used as a form of currency inside jails which can lead to prisoners incurring levels of debt among other inmates and, in turn, trigger other issues relating to prison safety,” he said.

“Banning smoking will have significant financial and health advantages for staff and prisoners.’’

Making South Australian prisons smoke-free, with nicotine replacement for addicted prisoners, will bring the state into line with most other Australian jurisdictions.

But there were riots in Victorian and a Tasmanian prison when the ban was put in place – and in NSW prisoners were so desperate they made “teabacco” by infusing nicotine patches into tea leaves then smoking the leaves.

Eighty per cent of SA’s 2,800 prisoners are smokers, and 75 per cent smoke daily.

Taxpayers foot the bill for hospital treatment for diseases caused by the heavy smoking, such as lung cancer, but that cost is not known.

The cost to help prisoners kick the habit — you will pay for the first six weeks of a 12 week program — will be $6.2 million over four years, much of this being spent on patches, lozenges and counselling.

The tobacco was smuggled into the prison to be stored until the ban applied – maximising profits when prices skyrocketed. Picture: SAPOL

The smoking ban comes amid Marshall Government proposed legislation enacting new measures and increased penalties for some existing offences in a major revamp of the Correctional Services Act.

The proposed changes include increasing prison terms up to five years for any inmate caught with drugs or other prohibited items like tobacco.

“Prisoners who commit crimes while locked up will have plenty of new jail time to consider the consequences of their actions and how living a law-abiding life might be in the best interests for themselves and the community,” Mr Wingard said.

Originally published as Tobacco stash reveals black market economy at Port Augusta Prison