Abstract
BackgroundA smoking ban was implemented across all prisons in Queensland, Australia, in May 2014, with the aim of improving the health of prisoners and prison staff. However, relapse to smoking after release from prison is common. Only one previous study, conducted in the United States, has used a randomised design to evaluate an intervention to assist individuals in remaining abstinent from smoking following release from a smoke-free prison.MethodsThis paper describes the rationale for and design of a randomised controlled trial of an intervention to extend smoking abstinence in men after release from smoke-free prisons in the state of Queensland, Australia. Participants in the intervention group will receive a brief intervention involving four group sessions of motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioural therapy, initiated 4 weeks prior to release from prison. The comparison group will receive a pamphlet and brief verbal intervention at the time of baseline assessment. Assessment of self-reported, post-release smoking status will be conducted by parole officers at regular parole meetings with the primary outcome measured at 1 month post release.DiscussionThe prevalence of smoking and related health harms among people who experience incarceration is extremely high. Effective interventions that result in long-term smoking cessation are needed to reduce existing health disparities in this vulnerable population.Trial registrationCurrent Controlled Trials ACTRN12616000314426
Highlights
A smoking ban was implemented across all prisons in Queensland, Australia, in May 2014, with the aim of improving the health of prisoners and prison staff
Despite short-term benefits associated with smoking bans (Binswanger et al, 2014), the majority of prisoners return to smoking upon release (Clarke et al, 2013; Lincoln et al 2009), suggesting that these bans result in short-term tobacco abstinence only (Donahue, 2009)
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a group-based version of the Working Inside for Smoking Elimination (WISE) intervention for maintaining smoking abstinence among men in the first 3 months after release from smoke-free prisons in Queensland, Australia
Summary
A smoking ban was implemented across all prisons in Queensland, Australia, in May 2014, with the aim of improving the health of prisoners and prison staff. Tobacco smoking is a global public health issue, killing approximately six million people annually (World Health Organisation, 2015) It is a major risk factor for many physical disorders such as coronary heart disease, cancer, and strokes (AIHW, 2014a). Recent studies (Cropsey & Kristeller, 2005; Kauffman et al 2011) suggest that not all prisoners adhere to smoking bans This suggests the need for efforts to promote smoking cessation both in and, critically, after release from prison, to reduce rates of tobacco-related morbidity and mortality among ex-prisoners (Belcher et al, 2006; Djachenko et al 2015; Gautam et al 2011; Kauffman et al, 2011; Mackay, 2014)
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