This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
No smoking in prison...period!
Wisconsin is one of 18 states that bans smoking in its corrections facilities. Inmates can’t smoke, period. Employees at the Kettle Morraine and Jackson correctional facilities can smoke outside as part of collective bargaining agreements.
Otherwise, a ban has been in place since September 2006 in Wisconsin. Inmates can’t smoke. Employees, including the guards can’t smoke.
Michigan became the 18th state to ban smoking in its prisons. Their ban went into effect yesterday, February 1, 2009.
In the 18 states that have banned smoking in prisons, there have been no insurrections, no uprisings, no riots. And corrections workers aren’t quitting their jobs.
I support this ban.
Wait a minute, Kevin. You are vehemently opposed to a statewide smoking ban in Wisconsin. How can you be in favor of this ban?
Easy. Real easy.
Inmates, in addition to their housing, food, recreation, law library opportunities, etc, are guaranteed health care. Why should the taxpayers, when health care costs are skyrocketing and many are without health insurance, subsidize the care of criminals when they smoke?
I’m for any measure that makes life difficult for inmates. They are to be punished. This isn’t supposed to be pleasant or a Hilton.
What about the workers? Don’t they deserve a smoking break for the crummy job they have to endure?
The state already bans smoking in many, if not all state workplaces. How can we make an exception for corrections officers? The state is trying to use a heavy hand and tell businesses they can’t allow smoking on their own property. If that’s the case, how can we allow prison guards to smoke, inside or outside a facility?
Here are details on the Michigan ban I talked about on WISN while filling in for Mark Belling today.
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