Last December, Nashville Tennessee’s Dickson Sherriff’s Office reported great profits selling electric smokeless vapor cigarettes to inmates. This comes as no surprise, as most jails do not allow for cigarette or tobacco smoking products. Although smoking and cigarette distribution is still common, it remains contraband in most detention facilities.
E-cigs provide that alternative device that can even bring them to stop using tobacco cigarettes in favor of readily available and permitted electronic vapor cigarettes.
The County’s Office properly examined the vaporizers to ensure they did not contain any risk of re-using elements for weapons, as well as regulated recycling systems that ensures all inmates return their spent devices.
An estimated $80,000 of profit was made, and projecting to beat $100,000 next year. These returns are nothing to shy away from, and more correctional facilities have been doing the same. Back in July of last year, we covered the story of a Nebraska Sheriff that started purchasing them for his inmates. Not only was he able to sell them very quickly, they served as a positive reinforcement for good behavior.
Some controversy spurred from a misunderstanding that $33,000 of taxpayer money was used to initially purchase the e-cigs, but this was corrected and clarified that the e-cigs we’re purchased by the inmates, and family members of theirs visiting. Also rebutting accusations that no bids had been welcomed before purchasing, the department stated that they we’re only successful in getting a single bid after reaching out to many vendors.
Beyond all the political fog, it’s clear that smokeless vapor cigarettes represent a major benefit for jails and prisons nationwide and beyond. Being that they pose little risk of being used as weapons, the electronic aspect reduces the demand for contraband cigarettes, and can double as a reward currency, vs. an illegal one.