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Poster presentation
Prison stop smoking services: an Islington experience
Seher Kayikci and Katrina Jordon
Abstract
HMP Pentonville and HMP Holloway
For the last 3 years, work in both HMP Pentonville and
HMP Holloway prisons have demonstrated that there is enormous
demand and worthwhile outcomes for tobacco control strategies
in local prisons.
Within the first year of operation at HMP Pentonville
(operational capacity of 1205 male inmates), three level
2 trained prison staff members received over 140 referrals
requesting cessation support for staff and inmates. From
the referrals, over half were assessed by an advisor (53%)
with the remaining clients having been transferred or
released prior to assessment. Of those who set a quit
date and completed the 10-week cessation programme (34%
of those assessed), 54% successfully stopped smoking at
4 weeks (84% CO validated).
Since development of the service at HMP Holloway (operational
capacity of 495 female inmates), 5 level 2 trained advisors
in the prison performed 43 client assessments, of which
33% quit at 4 weeks (64% CO validated), 23% continued
to smoke and 44% were lost to follow up, released or transferred.
Inmates are aware of the service through customised service
posters, flyer distribution to cells, end of treatment
certificate presentations, and No Smoking Day events.
Inmates motivated to stop smoking at HMP Pentonville can
self-complete referral forms found on all landings and
clinics. Service information is distributed to staff at
HMP Holloway via emails and on pay slips.
HMP Pentonville and Holloway smokefree policy permits
smoking by inmates in designated areas, including cells,
though is currently under review.
Success and Future Objectives
In designing and delivering smoking cessation services
in prisons, an important lesson learned is to tailor services
to meet the differing needs and demographics of each setting.
Delay between referral time to commencing treatment service,
transfer of inmates midway though their treatment course,
and advisors' protected time to provide service and follow
up are a few items that have impact on the quality and
success of the service. A significant time commitment,
flexibility, and regular ongoing support from all participants,
including prison senior management, are crucial in ensuring
the success of each programme. The core smoking cessation
service plays a key role in ensuring that advisors and
senior management feel integrated with the larger service.
Future objectives for the prison smoking cessation services
are to continue to build upon the learning and experiences
from last 3 years. Islington Stop Smoking Service will
continue to ensure supportive environments are maintained
for both staff and inmates through establishing steering
groups, linking existing prisoner support and education
programmes with smoking cessation services, and linking
support network between institutions to ensure continuity
of care. Efforts will be made on preventing, as well as
treating ill health for both inmates and staff, namely
through a smokefree agenda.
Seher Kayikci and Katrina Jordon
Islington Stop Smoking Service,
Islington Primary Care Trust,
338 - 346 Goswell Road
London EC1V 7LQ
Tel: 020 7527 1236/1232
seher.kayikci@nhs.net
katrina.jordon@nhs.net
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