Jump to full article: Nevada Appeal, 2009-06-12
Author: Geoff Dornan
Intro: July 1.
On that date, the entire system will become tobacco free.
Director of Corrections Howard Skolnik said the ban will apply not only to inmates but his staff as well. He said not even the administrative grounds at Stewart are exempt from the ban.
“We informed the inmates and staff a year ago,” he said. “We're not the first to do this. I have not spoken to any department that has had any serious problems.”
Skolnik said the problems at other prison systems have been greater for the staff than the inmates.
“They still have ready access. All they have to do is stop at a 7-Eleven,” he said. “But the inmates will be very lucky to get a very expensive cigarette.”
Skolnik said for new inmates, it will be easier since most of them are already off cigarettes.
“The vast majority of our inmates come to us tobacco free because both Clark and Washoe county ban smoking products,” he said. “So what we're doing is re-addicting them.”
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