The health risks associated with smoking, along with the numerous related second-hand smoke lawsuits, make it easy to see why DOCs would ban the habit in their facilities for offenders and COs alike.

Although the task of turning a state DOC into a non-smoking entity is complicated, it is a growing trend across the country. Thirty-two states have already made the transition to non-smoking status, and on July 1st the Wyoming Department of Corrections  became the 33rd.

But the WYDOC knew that abruptly ending something that COs and inmates perform every day would make for a miserable working and living environment. So, in August 2005, COs and officials decided to go “warm turkey” by rolling out programs, posters, and plenty of support for the soon-to-be non-smokers.

“We decided to phase in our non-smoking program,” says Elizabeth Robison, WYDOC tobacco cessation coordinator. “It's a matter of using a best practice to go non-smoking. It's crucial to communicate with staff and the offender population and let them know what's happening. We can't just take their cigarettes and send them on their way. We have to support them.”

For the last few months, offenders and staff have taken mandatory, hour-long classes to learn about the negative effects of tobacco and second-hand smoke. According to Rosie Davidson, WYDOC tobacco treatment specialist, education is an important component in helping anyone to quit, whether or not they are incarcerated.

“We go over a lot of information that many people have probably never heard,” says Davidson. “Smoking increases your risk of having a stroke. It increases your risk of bladder cancer and brain damage. Some people just don't realize how dangerous it is. We just give them the facts in these classes and many of them are surprised. It really motivates them to quit.”

The WYDOC also offers a second class that is voluntary and focuses on ways to kick the  habit to the curb. It focuses on the health benefits of quitting, tactics for dealing with the stress of quitting, and also encourages attendees to sign up for nicotine replacement supplements.

“First, we would asses the level of addiction,” explains Robison. “We asked how much they smoked during a day, and talked about their medical history. We worked with everyone to come up with a quit plan that was right for them. If they wanted to start out using patches and do therapy, we would arrange that. If they wanted to use the gum, we provided that for them.”

According to Robison and Davidson, the program's success is limitless because the supplements are provided to inmates at no cost. The WYDOC struck a deal with GlaxoSmithKline to provide the nicotine replacement supplements, and it paid a bulk rate to have the supplements delivered to each facility once every two weeks. Quitters could choose between patches, gum, lozenges, or even an herbal replacement for chewing tobacco.

“Chewing tobacco is certainly an issue in corrections,” says Davidson. “Many people turn to chew instead of cigarettes, but it's just as bad. It causes cancer in everything it touches; lips, tongue, esophagus, stomach, everything. We thought the herbal chew replacement would help people who were still in the habit of chewing.”

When inmates and staff picked up their supplements, they often found prizes hidden in the packages to keep their momentum going. Inmate incentives included free shampoo and soap, while COs received fleece blankets, water bottles, stress balls, and travel coffee mugs.

Robison says the extra incentives for staff were important.

“Many of our staff members told us that they only smoked cigarettes or chewed tobacco while they were at work. It's such a high stress job that most of their use had been while they were on shift. But we've had a significant amount of staff sign up for this, and we're so proud of the progress they have made,” she adds.

In the time leading up to the July 1st quit date, almost one thousand inmates were on a quit plan, using supplements and therapy to get through any rough patches. So far, the WYDOC reports there have been no incidents since they have gone smoke-free, and Robison remains optimistic that the program will continue to succeed.

“Now, staff and offenders know they have a resource. This is one of the most unique programs in the country. Overseas, people have done this in Scotland, England and Australia. On an international level, going non-smoking in a humane way is getting wide attention. We're seeing offenders react really well to this and the sky is the limit when it comes to the success of this program.”

As staff and offenders adjust to new non-smoking facilities, Wyoming continues to provide support so that everyone in the DOC can kick some butts.