No Smoking Prison Sparks Drop In Crime

Officials on The Isle of Man have learned that the best way to fight crime isn't to take away freedom, it's to take away cigarettes. There has been a 14% drop in crime since the island opened Europe's only completely no smoking prison in August 2008. "It's a standing joke now that when we nick someone we remind them that if they get sent down they'll have to come off the cigarettes — their faces are a picture. It's like they are more scared about giving up smoking than a criminal record and some time in the nick," said a police source.

Comments

Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[mcgrew]

This is the worst "statistics" I've ever seen. ONE prison is no smoking and they attribute a drop in the crime rate to it?

WTF? Somebody needs to go back to class and this time, pay attention.

Here in Illinois ALL the prisons and jails are no-smoking, but our crime rate hasn't dropped. Has anyone considered that there just might be other factors involved in the Isle of Man's lowered crime rate? Because its "cause and effect" isn't working here!

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[Locke2005]

Cigarettes are the currency of choice in most prisons... in a non-smoking system, what do they use? Or do I not want to know...

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[Anonymous Coward]

Here in Illinois ALL the prisons and jails are no-smoking, but our crime rate hasn't dropped.

There must be something in the water preventing US citizens from thinking farther ahead than their next junk food meal. I mean, you also elected Dubya for president two times.

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[ArsonSmith]

Yet interestingly enough after the 2000 ban crime rates have dropped across the board in Illinois

http://www.disastercenter.com/crime/ilcrime.htm

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[Anonymous Coward]

except forceable rape, which seems interesting because you'd want a cigarette after that.

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[ArsonSmith]

the problem wasn't W it was the people running against him. W was bad but look at the competition and the horror what we have now!!

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[mcgrew]

The statewide smoking ban didn't start until January 2009.

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[dov_0]

ONE prison is no smoking and they attribute a drop in the crime rate to it?

The Isle of Man has a population of just over 80,000. It probably only has one prison.

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[ragethehotey]

Cigarettes are the currency of choice in most prisons... in a non-smoking system, what do they use? Or do I not want to know...

pouches of premium brand tuna fish appear to have become the most popular item of currency, because its a stable food item that will last forever with a relatively high per-pack price.

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[RockDoctor]

Cigarettes are the currency of choice in most prisons... in a non-smoking system, what do they use? Or do I not want to know...

Charlie, Smack, Blow, Jellies ...

If some trustee in the workshop has been imaginative, maybe even a bit of moonshine?

For the uninitiated, most prisons are hotbeds for illegal drugs, brought in by visitors and corrupt guards. The only item that competes is an illicit mobile phone or SIM card.
(Don't bother complaining that this isn't how it "should" be ; deal with the fact that it is.)

Re:Can't smoke in Illinois jails

[Locke2005]

Will wonders never cease... cat food is now the currency of choice in places where there is no pussy to be found!