Prisons May Need New 'Currency'

If you've seen a prison movie, virtually any prison movie, made up to this point in time, you'll know that cigarettes are the one form of 'currency' that many prisoners will use to barter for whatever they can 'purchase' while in jail. I remember the scene in "The Shawshank Redemption" where cigarettes are used by the prisoners as stakes for a bet or how they were used to curry favor with the guards in war movies like "Stalag 17". But now if state courts continue ruling the way they have, prisoners are going to have to find a new 'monetary' system.

It seems that the prisons in Virginia are now joining prisons from 24 other states that have made the decision to ban smoking and tobacco products from being used in prison systems. The rationale behind these decisions? Well the courts argue that by denying prisoners cigarettes they are helping to keep them healthy. The reason for keeping them healthy is that although they are already paying a debt to society by being in prison, it doesn't make sense for them to eventually return to society in a sickly state which would mean their potential admission into the state medical facilities which could eventually cost more than if the prisoner had left prison in better health.

I suppose it makes sense on the surface but I wonder if it is really something that states need to regulate. One could argue that perhaps prison guards are unnecessarily being exposed to second hand smoke by continuing to allow prisoners to smoke indoors but is that so bad? I mean I'm sure many prison guards themselves smoke up a storm when they're not on duty. But of course they can step out into the designated smoking area and light up. In what I've been able to find thus far, tobacco would be banned for prisoners completely. I suppose that means no more 'betting' or 'buying' in the excercise yard.

Some would say that it shouldn't matter what prisoners want. They are in prison for breaking society's rules and should therefore be made to suffer or be denied those pleasures which mark freedom. I agree but is this truly that important a pleasure that would make being in prison all that more 'enjoyable'? I have often contemplated what life might be like in prison. After all, what would you do all day when you're simply sitting in your cell? You need to do something to pass the time so why not smoke? I understand the health concerns as well but I sometimes feel we go a little too far when it comes to laying down the laws in our prisons.