PRISONERS were given candyfloss and popcorn to help them cope with the smoking ban.

Chocolates and puzzle books were also dished out in goodie bags — followed by crisps and Maltesers.

Insiders claimed cons were left bemused by the gesture, days after smoking became illegal at HMP Kilmarnock, western Scotland.

A source said: “The screws said it was to help inmates get over their problems with smoking.

"Some in there thought it was bizarre, although the prisoners were never going to turn down free sweets.”

Scottish Conservative shadow justice secretary Liam Kerr last night blasted the move.

He said: “Providing inmates with popcorn and candyfloss is hardly going to shed Scotland’s jails of a holiday camp reputation.

“Victims whose lives have been ruined by these dangerous criminals will have little sympathy with their cigarette cravings.”

Serco, which runs the jail, said the sweets were the prisoners’ idea and paid for out of their own fund — not by taxpayers.