A special seafood and steak menu, as well as lollipops, will be offered in Victorian prisons, Australia, in a bid to appease inmates antsy over a smoking ban that comes into effect on Wednesday.

Prisons across the state are marking the introduction of the ban with barbecues, concerts by prison bands and the distribution of Chupa Chups lollipops in the hope of giving hardened criminals "something to do with their hands" rather than hold a smoke.

Some institutions have also implemented "swap" programs where leftover cigarettes, lighters and matches, which will also be banned, can be traded for sweets.

A special one-day-only "celebration" menu will see inmates enjoy a choice of seafood, filled peppers or a 200g steak with gravy. All come with vegetables or chips.

The measures are designed to placate the 85 per cent of prisoners who are smokers and forestall a potential spike in assaults and bad behaviour from detoxing inmates.

bbabo.Net