216920 Recommendations for Addressing Tobacco Use in Correctional Facilities through Policy and Cessation Programming

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Kristi Maryman, BS , Break Free Alliance, Health Education Council, West Sacramento, CA
Janet Porter, MPH , Break Free Alliance Program Director, Health Education Council, West Sacramento, CA
As of 2006, more than 2.2 million people are incarcerated in the United States. While only 21% of the general U.S. population smokes, it is estimated that between 60-80% of correctional inmates use tobacco, and as such are disproportionately affected by tobacco use. Also, those incarcerated who do not use tobacco are affected significantly by secondhand smoke exposure, alongside prison staff.

In order to address tobacco use within correctional institutions, Break Free Alliance and a panel of experts developed a briefing paper, Recommendations for Addressing Tobacco Use in Correctional Facilities through Policy and Cessation Programming, in June 2009. These recommendations offer guidance to correctional institutions in order to develop, enhance and implement tobacco control policies as well as provide tobacco education and cessation programs for those living and working in the correctional system.

Prior to the paper's completion, a complete literature review was conducted. A select group of experts who either work directly with prison staff or have experience in correctional policy and/or in prison healthcare came together to discuss the best possible recommendations to include in the document. In addition to the recommendations, several correctional facilities shared their current tobacco control policies for other facilities to use as a model. Some of the organizations who played a part in the development of this document include: National Commission on Correctional Healthcare; California Medical Association; New Hampshire Department of Corrections and New Mexico's Colfax County Detention Center.

Learning Areas:
Advocacy for health and health education
Implementation of health education strategies, interventions and programs
Public health or related organizational policy, standards, or other guidelines
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Recommendations for Addressing Tobacco Use in Correctional Facilities through Policy and Cessation Programming List three benefits of working with correctional institutions on tobacco control issues, specifically tobacco control policy and increased access to cessation resources, both inside and outside of the institution. Identify two promising practices for successful implementation of tobacco control policies within correctional institutions. Describe two benefits of linking newly released inmates to community health resources.

Keywords: Tobacco Control, Correctional Health Care

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I am the Project Director for the Break Free Alliance and have been in tobacco control for over 15 years as well as other public health programs. I also have my Masters degree in Public Health.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.