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Posted on 01/15/2003 8:52:24 PM PST by chance33_98

California Prisons Experiment with Smoking Ban

Thousands of California inmates are kicking the habit, like it or not. Since January 1, smoking has been banned at the Duel Vocational Institution in Tracy and four other state prisons.

Administrators took a look at soaring healthcare costs and determined smoking had to stop. They banned smoking among inmates at the first of the year. The policy will be evaluated in 90 days.

Inmates were told months ago it was coming. Some were angry, others didn't believe it. "We don't like it. Everybody didn't like it at all," said inmate Mike Ruiz. "We're used to smoking so much then having to stop all of a sudden. In a place like this, you need something to do."

So far, prison officials say there has been little or no violence since the controversial ban, but they are confiscating large numbers of cigarettes. Those caught with cigarettes will be subject to inmate discipline. Still, contraband cigarettes are floating around. Reportedly, three cigarettes are selling for $10.

There is one group of inmates who like the smoking ban -- inmates who were already nonsmokers. "Many of the nonsmoking inmates are praising us in secret," said prison spokesman Arturo Martinez. "It wouldn't be healthy for them to agree with the administration."

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