Prison governor welcomes UK move

Mon, 23 Sep 2013

The Island’s prison governor says smoking bans are not easy for prisoners to adapt to.

Alison Gomme has spoken out after the UK announced plans to ban smoking in prisons in England and Wales.

The Isle of Man introduced its own ban in 2008 after legislation was passed making it an offence to smoke in most work and public places.

In doing so it became the first prison in Europe to ban prisoners from smoking.

The governor says it is better for staff and prisoners but doesn't please everyone: