The Alexander Maconochie Centre is one step closer to becoming smoke-free.
Minister for Corrections Mick Gentleman said the transition to a smoke-free AMC will be undertaken in a measured and collaborative way. Cancer Council ACT will be providing quit smoking intervention training to detainees and staff.
"The ACT Government is committed to transitioning the AMC to a smoke-free correctional centre by mid-2023,
"The ACT Government is committed to improving the health and wellbeing of detainees and staff at the AMC,
"We know quitting smoking can be difficult, so the government is collaborating with Cancer Council ACT to provide training to support the transition to a smoke-free environment. The training will help equip staff and detainees with the skills to provide support, encouragement, and advice on how to quit smoking,
"The transition to a smoke-free AMC will occur in stages. Staff will also be supported to quit smoking if they wish to,
"A number of programs will be available to staff and detainees. Nicotine Replacement Therapy will be available in the form of nicotine patches and lozenges. Detainees will also have access to diversionary activities such as exercise, art, barbecues, along with QUIT resources, Justice Health Services and the Winnunga Health Clinic for ongoing support,
"As part of the program, detainees are being made aware of the supports available and key upcoming transition activities, such as the gradual reduction of tobacco of availability in the AMC. We already have more than 100 detainees accessing NRT within the centre."
Cancer Council ACT CEO Verity Hawkins said onsite training of staff and detainees in quit smoking interventions will help them understand and support each other to quit smoking.
"Through this training, Cancer Council ACT is pleased to support measures to reduce exposure to smoking and second-hand smoke in workplaces, or where people are unable to avoid it," Ms Hopkins said.
The ACT is one of the last jurisdictions in Australia to transition to a smoke-free correctional centre. The recommendation to move to a smoke-free AMC was made in the Blueprint for Change: A New Future for Custodial Services report.
