L.I- To write a discussion argument giving both views, concluding with my opinion.

The Corrections Minister, Judith Collins has confirmed that in July 2011, smoking will be banned in New Zealand prisons. At the moment, prisoners are allowed to smoke in prison and around two thirds of them do smoke, so to help them understand what’s happening, they will all get smoking education. Since about half of the population of prison guards also smoke, they will have designated areas to smoke, for their own safety. “The move” said Judith Collins “would make prisons safer and healthier for staff and prisoners.”

Firstly, banning smoking in New Zealand prisons would not only be beneficial for the health of prisoners who smoke, but also for non-smoking inmates, guards or visitors. They won’t be at risk of getting sick from second-hand smoke and visitors might want to come more often if they can’t smell the smoke around the prisoners. Also, with the large number of prisoners who currently smoke, when they leave prison after not smoking, they might rethink about smoking and they could’ve learnt a valuable lesson from not smoking in prisons.

Being in prison is supposed to be a punishment, not a luxury. So why should prisoners be allowed to smoke in prison when they’ve committed a crime or broken the law? Prisoners who smoke should be serving their time working, not doing things they enjoy like smoking.

On the other hand, smoking being banned in New Zealand prisons could turn out worse than the current situation. Smokers who are trying to quit could find it hard and they might get angry or emotional.  This could be dangerous for both the smoking prisoners and the other people at the prison.

Furthermore, if smoking is banned in prisons, cigarettes could become a black market item. Prisoners could try to bribe guards or visitors to bring them cigarettes and this could cause violence if some inmates are smoking illegally and others aren’t. Some prison guards have already been threatened by the several prisoners to be bashed if they ban smoking in prisons so it could also be dangerous for them.

In conclusion, smoking is unhealthy and prison is supposed to be a punishment. So I think it is good that smoking in New Zealand prisons will be banned next year because it could make prisons a healthier and safer place to be for prisoners, guards and visitors.

By Sophie

I put this piece of writing on my blog to show some of my writing work from term 3. This is a discussion argument about the smoking ban in New Zealand that’s happening in July next year. I stated both sides to the argument then wrote which side I support which is that smoking in NZ prisons should be banned.

Advertisement