NCJ Number
174262
Journal
American Jails Volume: 12 Issue: 3 Dated: July/August 1998 Pages: 9-14
Date Published
1998
Length
6 pages
Annotation
This article examines the nature and consequences of cigarette smoking policies in American jails.
Abstract
During the past decade, many jails across the country have changed their cigarette smoking policies for both staff and inmates. Sheriffs and jail administrators were surveyed to document these policies, how they have been implemented, and their consequences. A total of 1,209 jails were sent copies of the survey; 925 (77 percent) responded. The majority (55 percent) of jails banned smoking by staff and inmates throughout the entire facility. Nine percent banned inmates but not staff from smoking. Two percent banned staff but not inmate smoking. A third of the jails (33 percent) allowed smoking by both inmates and staff. More than two-thirds (70 percent) of this last group prohibited smoking in some areas of the jail; the rest had no smoking policy at all. Larger jails (at least 100 inmates) were more likely to ban smoking. Many more jails in the Midwest, Rocky Mountain states, and Pacific Coast states had a complete ban on smoking in their facilities, while jails in the South and Southwest were more likely to have a less restrictive policy. Figures