News | Wednesday, 12th May 2021

Some inmates are vaping dangerously concentrated Spice after prison smoking ban, research suggests

Study shows potential unintended consequences of measures to combat second-hand smoke

Research into substance use at one prison found some inmates are vaping dangerous amounts of ‘Spice’ potentially as a result of smoking ban in prisons.

Researchers from Manchester Metropolitan University interviewed 16 prisoners and 22 prison staff in a category B prison to find out about the effects of the smoking ban, the first such study conducted after it was introduced in England and Wales in 2017-18.  

The study, conducted in 2018, focused on one prison but could suggest an unintended consequence of the smoking ban is putting pressure on the prison system through possible increased use of spice.

Criminologists Dr Rob Ralphs and Dr Paul Gray investigated the impact of the ban on prisoners’ smoking practices, the changes to the tobacco and synthetic cannabinoid markets - commonly known as Spice - and the implications of these changes for prisoner health and the wider prison regime.

Dr Gray, Senior Lecturer in Criminology at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “This is the first study of its type to examine how the introduction of a smoking ban in prisons in England and Wales has impacted upon prisoners’ smoking behaviours. While the ban will undoubtedly reduce the problem of second-hand smoke within prisons, there have been a number of unintended - but not unanticipated - negative consequences of the smoking ban.”

Spice increase

The creation of a black market in tobacco has made it unaffordable for most inmates, who instead have turned to smoking cheaper alternatives, including tea, deconstructed nicotine patches, and paper infused with Spice.

As well as being up to 20 times cheaper than tobacco, the study found that Spice fulfilled the same purpose as smoking cigarettes, helping inmates manage stress and alleviate boredom, especially when locked in their cells.

This is the first study of its type to examine how the introduction of a smoking ban in prisons in England and Wales has impacted upon prisoners’ smoking behaviours.

Prisoners in the study have started to use e-cigarettes, given out as part of smoking cessation programmes, to vape the paper-based Spice rather than diluting with expensive tobacco. This means users are getting a more concentrated and dangerous ‘hit’, leading to an increase in Spice-related medical emergencies, the research suggests.

Dr Ralphs, Reader in Criminology at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “Clinical guidance is clear that due to their potency, Spice is much more dangerous when used neat in a pipe or bong. The smoke free prison policy has made tobacco contraband and has pushed Spice users towards more hazardous methods of ingestion leading to increased risks of harm.”

Strain on resources

These medical emergencies had put greater strain on already overstretched prison staff, who had to spend more time dealing with emergencies.

One prison staff member said: “The rise in NPS [Spice] has a massive impact on a daily basis because it ties so many staff up for hours on end. … It can range from two or three to 16 or 17 incidents per day, which has a massive impact on the staff; dealing with situations and the related paperwork”.

The study found that the increased emergencies, and the consequent burden on staffing, have created a negative cycle where inmates spend even more time alone in their cells, thereby increasing the likelihood of them taking Spice to relieve boredom.

The smoke free prison policy has made tobacco contraband and has pushed Spice users towards more hazardous methods of ingestion leading to increased risks of harm.

The researchers argue that while a long-term solution would be to increase productive activities for prisoners to reduce the amount of time spent alone in cells, this is unlikely with current resourcing levels and the additional impact of COVID restrictions on time spent out of cells.

Instead, the researchers argue that a greater focus should be put onto restricting the trafficking of Spice into prisons, and for sharing of best practice in the effective use of technology, such as body and mail scanners.

Dr Ralphs said: “Bearing in mind the link between excessive time locked in cells and mental health issues and substance use, it is imperative that prisoners have adequate access to mental health treatment. Furthermore, it is crucial that prison drug strategies include a tailored treatment response to Spice.”