No smoking prison sparks drop in crime

No smoking prison sparks drop in crime

A noticeable drop in recorded crimes on the Isle of Man is being attributed to the opening of Europe's only completely no smoking prison.

The island which is one of the safest places to live in the British Isles, has seen a massive reduction in total crimes since the new £42m jail opened in August 2008.

In the nine month period from April 2008 to December 15 2008 the total recorded crimes stood at 2,508.

But in the same period this year crimes dropped off 14 per cent, with a total of 2,157 crimes committed.

At present there are just under 100 prisoners at the medium security jail, which replaced the old Victoria Road jail on the island last year.

It means at least 40 cells empty, as wannabe crooks turn their back on a life of crime - many because they don't want to give up cigarettes if they get caught.

The prison is Europe's one and only completely non-smoking prison - with smoking not even allowed in the prison exercise yard.

Even prison guards are banned from smoking anywhere on the premises and have to go into a nearby car park to light up.

Prisoners are told they have no choice but to give up and are given free nicotine patches and counselling sessions to help them beat their cravings.

The number of burglaries has plunged by more than 35 per cent, there has been a 25 per cent drop in the number of assaults and the number of people caught stealing cars has fallen by seven per cent in the past year.

Domestic assaults fell 11 per cent and criminal damage offences dropped eight per cent..

"It's a standing joke now that when we nick someone we remind them that if they get sent down they'll have to come off the cigarettes - their faces are a picture," said a police source.

"It's like they are more scared about giving up smoking than a criminal record and some time in the nick."

A Facebook group has even been set up to fight for the right to smoke in the prison and already has 218 members.

Chief Inspector Simon Lowe, of the Isle of Man Constabulary, said today (Mon): "Anything that helps reduce crime is welcomed by the police."

Whilst I welcome the small size of the prison, cell accommodation for 140, £42m seems a very high price to pay for such a small prison. And, being a heavy smoker I think the total no smoking ban to be a cruel and unusual punishment.

I am surprised that the Tories have not thought of making our prisons totally non smoking an election pledge...