MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG
Mo. Digital News
Missouri Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Mo. Digital News
MDN.ORG:
Missouri Digital News
| Intro: |
Representative Chris Molendorp says he hopes to eliminate cigarettes completely from Missouri's prisons. |
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| RunTime: | 0:41 |
| OutCue: | SOC |
Wrap: Representative Chris Molendorp took a stance against tobacco, advocating the ban of all tobacco products on prison campuses across the state.
Correctional facilities are required to pay for all health expenses of their inmates.
| Actuality: | MOLEY1.WAV |
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| Run Time: | 00:13 |
| Description: "We spend more on general revenue with no discernible evidence that the quality of care inmates receive is better. And certainly, by spending more money year after year, we certainly aren't seeing any major changes in the general health of inmates." | |
Molendorp also says that cigarettes are used as currency in prisons.
He says by banning tobacco, facilities could eliminate that market altogether.
No one spoke in opposition to the measure and no further action was taken.
From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.
| Intro: |
A former inmate breaks down pleading for a complete ban of tobacco in Missouri prisons. |
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| RunTime: | 0:42 |
| OutCue: | SOC |
Wrap: Former inmate Gordon Bell teared up as he spoke about the amount of smoking occurring in Missouri's prisons.
Bell served 14 years in prison and says tobacco is its currency.
He says tobacco is extremely valuable in prison and widespread use makes it desirable.
| Actuality: | BELLY.WAV |
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| Run Time: | 00:06 |
| Description: "Smoking is just rampant. It is a currency in there and a regular cigarette can get between 10 to 15 stamps." | |
Bell also says he saw several instances where inmates would find cigarette butts in the prison yard to re-roll them and smoke in their cells.
The bill proposes an extended timeline before it is enacted to allow for inmates and staff alike to ween off tobacco.
No one spoke in opposition and no further action was taken on this measure.
From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.
| Intro: |
One former inmate broke down as he explained how frequent tobacco smoking is in prison. |
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| RunTime: | 0:40 |
| OutCue: | SOC |
Wrap: Gordon Bell is asthmatic and is also a former inmate in a Missouri prison.
He says tobacco use is rampant throughout the prison system.
He also says inmates will go to extreme lengths to smoke a single cigarette.
| Actuality: | BELL2.WAV |
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| Run Time: | 00:11 |
| Description: "I have seen inmates in the infirmary; they were on oxygen, taking the nose candelas out of their nose, smoking a cigarette. I have seen people assaulted, physically and sexually over cigarettes." | |
Bell also says non-smokers like himself become rats in the prison system if they told officers.
He says snitches are be stabbed if word spreads they told prison guards.
No one spoke in opposition to the measure and there was no further action taken.
From Jefferson City, I'm Brian Pepoon.