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Should prisoners have access to modern technologies?

Prisoners should have access to the following modern technologies...

  • Internet

    Votes: 5 20.8%
  • Phone

    Votes: 12 50.0%
  • TV

    Votes: 13 54.2%
  • Radio

    Votes: 13 54.2%
  • Special prison TV and radio programms only

    Votes: 8 33.3%
  • HiFi stereo

    Votes: 3 12.5%
  • Personal media player

    Votes: 5 20.8%
  • Dunno

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Other

    Votes: 8 33.3%

  • Total voters
    24

Canell

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So, what do you think? ;)

P.S. Crap, I forgot to give the option "Prisoners should not use any of these". Can a mod fix this, please? Thanks.
 
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Depends on the technology. Generally I don't have a problem with them having access to technologies that only receive information, like most of the ones on your list. I'm a bit more hesitant about technologies that can send information too, like internet and cell phones. I guess it depends on their crime and what level of security their prison is.
 
Phone and internet access should obviously have restrictions. I would say that its definitely worth experimenting with giving prisoners unlimited access to digital media, especially pornography. Playing video games and watching movies is far less problematic that the usual abuses that pass the time in prison.
 
None Of The Above.
 
So, what do you think? ;)

P.S. Crap, I forgot to give the option "Prisoners should not use any of these". Can a mod fix this, please? Thanks.

As far as I'm concerned, they can have access to anything on your list except the internet.

Oh, and for phones? Only the jailhouse ones that are monitored.
 
I feel iffiest about internet, by far, just because of how social one can still be using the internet. Unrestricted internet access would really take a lot of the "correction" out of the Correctional System.

However, I could see using some structured training programs for inmates who have been in prison for a long time and are gearing up to be released, as they have probably not had a lot of experience with the internet and it has become integral to locating and accessing the right resources that would aim to reduce recidivism.
 
So, what do you think? ;)

P.S. Crap, I forgot to give the option "Prisoners should not use any of these". Can a mod fix this, please? Thanks.

Since you didn't have that option I picked other. Prison is a punishment.The only thing they are entitled to is back breaking labor from sun to sun down, fortified bread, and water.
 
If they had no communication with the outside world, they wouldn't be running gangs and ordering murders from inside, would they?

Therefore, there should be no communication with the outside world, period. Prison is not supposed to be fun, after all.
 
If they had no communication with the outside world, they wouldn't be running gangs and ordering murders from inside, would they?

Therefore, there should be no communication with the outside world, period. Prison is not supposed to be fun, after all.

Agreeable statements, but among those who will be released, it would be preferable if it had some sort of rehabilitative effect. Rehabilitation may not be conducive to being 100% cut off from the world.
 
Agreeable statements, but among those who will be released, it would be preferable if it had some sort of rehabilitative effect. Rehabilitation may not be conducive to being 100% cut off from the world.

Maybe if they had a stern great aunt or something who could constantly remind them of the need to make better choices.
 
I do not believe that inmates should have free (unlimited) access to the internet or to electronic toys.

If they are using the internet to get a GED or go to college or something like that fine. but there are two many negatives associated with it.

I would prefer that they learn real jobs skills in the joint (for those who aren't in solitary) and also learn how to take care of themsleves such as personal finance, home ec, social interactions.
To me just keeping a guy in a cell for 20+ hours a day because you can't think of anything better is stupid. We are paying for this and personally i would like to see more bang for my buck.
If anyone has seen my post on whats wrong with prisons, this would apply to level 1-3 types.
 
What kind of prisoners are we talking about? Non-violent? Violent? People who have committed misdemeanors? Felons?

Also, what is prison's purpose? Is it to rehabilitate? To punish? To act as a barrier between the violent and innocent people?
 
Agreeable statements, but among those who will be released, it would be preferable if it had some sort of rehabilitative effect. Rehabilitation may not be conducive to being 100% cut off from the world.

Being able to have visitors, make supervised telephone calls, read magazines, newspapers, books, watch TV, listen to the radio is hardly being 100% cut off from the world.

Allowing prisoners internet access allows them to fleece the world, threaten the world, reach out from their prison cells and run their gangs. We should be doing everything in our power to prevent any unsupervised contact with the outside world at all​.
 
So, what do you think? ;)

P.S. Crap, I forgot to give the option "Prisoners should not use any of these". Can a mod fix this, please? Thanks.

Phone, TV, radio, and that's it. Prison is a punishment, it's not made for happy fun time. The phone is basically an extension of their rights. Can't contact an attorney without one, but I don't see why they can't do personal calls, as long as it keeps them appeased. TV and radio is just to keep their minds occupied. Anything else, no. They should take the time to get an education, and better themselves.
 
Agreeable statements, but among those who will be released, it would be preferable if it had some sort of rehabilitative effect. Rehabilitation may not be conducive to being 100% cut off from the world.

Why not in their last month or two keep that inmate separate from the rest of the inmates and focus on rehabilitation, during which they can taught about modern technology and other similar stuff?
 
Why not in their last month or two keep that inmate separate from the rest of the inmates and focus on rehabilitation, during which they can taught about modern technology and other similar stuff?

Seems sensible to me.
 
I do not understand the desire to dehumanize prisoners. If we treat them like dirt, why should we expect them not to act like dirt when they're released? Taking retribution on them will only cause them to want retribution against us.
 
Agreeable statements, but among those who will be released, it would be preferable if it had some sort of rehabilitative effect. Rehabilitation may not be conducive to being 100% cut off from the world.

Who says they're supposed to be released?

I do not understand the desire to dehumanize prisoners. If we treat them like dirt, why should we expect them not to act like dirt when they're released? Taking retribution on them will only cause them to want retribution against us.

Who says they're supposed to be released?
 
What I'm saying is that most of these guys and gals should never see the light of day again after their conviction.

Ok thanks for clarifieng.
 
Are electricity and indoor plumbing considered modern technology?

For education and healthcare, yes.
 
Who says they're supposed to be released?

Who says they're supposed to be released?

The wording of my posts indicates that I acknowledge some will be released and some will not.
 
What technology do their victims have access to?
 
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