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Crime Solicitors
G4S-run prison to ban smoking in cells by February (21 July 2015)
Date: 21/07/2015
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced that a privately run prison in south Wales is to ban prisoners smoking in their cells by February 2016.
BBC News reports that Parc Prison in Brigend – which has a capacity of 1,700 – took the decision after High Court action taken by an inmate who was a non-smoker. He claimed that sharing a cell with an inmate who smoked was harming his health.
During the High Court hearing, the MoJ accepted that privately run prisons could not claim exemption from the government’s smoking ban in enclosed places, which came into force in 2007. Prison cells were exempt from the ban, however.
A further case due to be heard by the Court of Appeal will now test whether prisons which are not privately run but are operated by the Prison Service would be able to claim exemption.
Parc Prison is run is run by G4S and currently houses more than 1,000 prisoners, including remand prisoners and young offenders.
A spokesman for the MoJ said:
“We are committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of our staff, visitors and prisoners – and have introduced a number of precautionary measures to reduce the risk of exposure to second hand smoke.
“Not only is this better for the health of our prisoners, but for the health of staff who work in this environment.
“We are continuing to consider how to reduce the prevalence of smoking across the prison estate, including through the use of electronic cigarettes.”
Duncan Lewis Crime Lawyers – Prisoners’ Rights
Duncan Lewis crime lawyers have offices nationwide and can advise prisoners on their rights in custody, including access to healthcare and mental health services.
Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid criminal defence lawyers able to advise on appeals against conviction and sentencing, Parole Board applications, licence conditions and Confiscation Orders.
The Duncan Lewis personal injury department can also advise prisoners on making no win no fee claims for compensation as a result of injuries sustained in unprovoked attacks in prison, including during restraint – or as a result of breaches in health and safety law.
For expert legal advice on prisoners’ rights, call Duncan Lewis crime lawyers on 020 7923 4020.