Plan to ban smoking in WA prisons abandoned amid fears it could trigger a ‘system-wide rampage’

WA’s full-to-bursting prisons are on such a knife-edge that authorities have abandoned a plan to ban smoking in jail. With sweat-soaked prisoners in hot and overcrowded cells irritable to the point of rioting, outlawing tobacco has been deemed too dangerous to implement. Jail bosses believe that forcing inmates to go cold turkey could be a trigger event for a system-wide rampage. “As you are aware, the custodial system is currently managing significant operational pressures, including sustained growth in prisoner numbers and high utilisation across multiple facilities,” Corrective Services Commissioner Brad Royce informed staff on Friday. “In this context, and as part of careful system-side prioritisation, I have decided to defer the full implementation of the smoke-free prisons policy with a review to be completed early in 2027. “A temporary deferral allows the department to focus on immediate operational priorities while continuing to prepare for future implementation of the policy in a more stable environment.” A successful smoke-free trial in women’s prisons in 2024 was meant to have heralded a State-wide tobacco ban. The decision to postpone the ban drew the ire of the Australian Council on Smoking and Health. “Smoke-free prisons aren’t a radical idea,” council chief executive Laura Hunter said. “They’re already standard practice in many prison systems across Australia. These policies are a critical step toward improving health outcomes for both correctional staff and people in custody. “We understand the challenges facing the custodial system, but delaying this reform also means delaying the health benefits that come with removing tobacco from prisons.” The State Opposition said the move sent “a clear signal that our prison system is operating on the edge”. “This tells us that the Cook Labor Government can no longer implement reforms behind prison walls because they are too concerned about their ability to maintain control of the prison population due to the risk of changes triggering unrest, riots or serious violence,” Shadow Corrective Services Minister Adam Hort said. “This is a staffing problem, a muster problem and an overcrowding problem all rolled into one. “Ultimately, this crisis has happened on Premier Roger Cook’s watch, and he is overseeing a prison system that is now under so much pressure that they’ve lost control of their ability to implement reform. “It is now clearer than ever that the next major incident in our prison system is not a question of if it happens, but when.” Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia declined to comment. As Shadow Corrective Services Minister in 2015, Mr Papalia blasted the Barnett Government for refusing to ban smoking in jails.. “The Government has no excuse other than a lack of courage and a lack of political will,” Mr Papalia said at the time. “I think the reason is the Government has so massively overcrowded our prison system they fear they will lose control if they impose a ban.” The Department of Justice said WA’s tough-on-crime agenda had placed “unprecedented strain on the prison system”. “The State Government is investing heavily to meet both immediate and long-term demand, with more than $435 million committed to major expansions at Casuarina and Acacia prisons, adding almost 700 beds,” the department said. Mr Royce told staff he remained committed to a smoke-free prison system. “This decision does not change the department’s commitment to improving health outcomes across the custodial estate; rather it reflects the need to sequence reforms responsibly,” he said.