There is now just one prisoner who is still refusing meals at Victoria Road.

The action began last week, with a number of inmates declining food in protest at the smoking ban, which came into force at the end of March.

The new smoking legislation means no-one is permitted to smoke anywhere on prison grounds, a decision which the Department of Home Affairs says has been checked to ensure it complies with the Island's Human Rights Act, which enshrines the European Convention on Human Rights.

All of the prisoners who have been involved in the protest are continuing to be assessed by healthcare officials and none are showing any signs of ill-health.

The Department says Nicotine Replacement Therapy has been made available as part of a planned detox programme.

Prisoners on NRT will be individually assessed and an appropriate reduction plan agreed.

Healthcare support from trained officers is also available to assist those on detox programmes.