A review has been launched after a riot broke out in a Tasmanian prison.

A recent riot at Hobart's Risdon Prison led to an eight-hour stand-off between inmates and correctional officers, with up to 40 medium-security prisoners refusing to return to their cells.

A central point of the prisoners' protest was a change in policy that meant they could no longer access nicotine patches that had been provided to replace cigarettes.

Acting Corrections Minister Guy Barnett has now asked the Prison Service to review the nicotine replacement therapy used in Risdon.

Officials banned the patches after it was discovered that some prisoners were misusing them by soaking them with tea leaves to extract the nicotine into leaves that they could smoke.

Mr Barnett said they were already being phased out, and are only available to new prisoners.

“When they come into the system, they have access to the nicotine replacement therapy in an appropriate location rather than being in a geographic area that's close to other prisoners,” he said.

“We've had a smoke-free prison since February 2015 and that's consistent with nearly all other jurisdictions across Australia, we support healthy lifestyles including in the prison.”

Mr Barnett said there would be a full review of the riot.

“The Tactical Response Group acted in a professional and measured way… they dispersed a chemical agent, a teargas-type chemical agent and it dispersed the prisoners and it achieved their objectives they subsequently returned to their cells,” he said.

“Let me make it very clear, the prison is not Club Med, it is not a holiday destination, it is a prison.”

But the Prisoners Legal Service (PLS) said the riot was not just about nicotine, and would be difficult to avoid in the future without significant change.

PLS chair Greg Barns said the prison was significantly overcrowded, leaving inmates doubled up in cells.

“Prisoners only get an hour out of their cells a day when there are lockdowns,” he said.

Opposition leader Rebecca White demanded answers from acting Corrections Minister Guy Barnett in Question Time.

“The stand-off between prisoners and staff is a direct result of some of the worst overcrowding we have seen at the prison,” Ms White said.

“Overcrowding has led to a volatile environment.

“For months now you were warned staff were in imminent danger in a prison environment described as a pressure cooker.”

Mr Barnett said the Government is working on it.

“We have in the budget an extra 61 beds … in the previous budget 20 extra new beds, so by July next year we'll be having 81 new beds coming on line,” he said.

“We're increasing the resourcing in terms of jobs, we're recruiting an extra 30 as we speak.

“We're building four additional independent living units on the Risdon site. Expanding the existing O'Hara cottages to provide pre-release accommodation.”