Prisoners should have computers in their cells??

Question

Should they? - please click the link, not simply answer! Thanks.

http://society.guardian.co.uk/lifeoutside/story/0,,2171012,00.html

Answer 1

Hi Barbie,

I was initially a little unsure about this because of the potential for misuse, but the article suggests the use of the OLPC computers. I remember hearing about these machines, they are very cheap, reliable, low maintenance and can be very restricted as to their capabilities. They are basic, no frills machines that are functional but not fancy, much more of a tool than a play thing.



Given that there are so many constructive applications for computers in terms of learning, and given that there are appropriate machines available, I would support giving them to the prisoners that wanted them.

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

No, the prison population is currently around 81,000 so it would be expensive. I don't agree with the authors remarks about televisions. When they were introduced in the prison I worked in many remote controls were either lost, stolen or broken within a matter of weeks and many televisions didn't fair much better. Nothing is a one off payment in prisons, things invariably get damaged/broken and then have to be repaired or replaced at a cost. I find the comment about a computer that is heat and water resistant quite amusing - they would perhaps have to be a little tougher than this to survive the antics of prison life.

As far as I am aware all prisons have computer access for prisoners in their education departments so that prisoners who are genuinely interested in using them can do so under supervision. These are located away from residential areas and therefore less likely to be damaged.

With regards to High Security Prisons, prisoners tend to look after their possessions better than short term establishments by virtue of the fact that they are serving very long sentences and have a vested interest in looking after things that they are given and want to use, they too however will have access through education and I wouldn't support them being put in their cells either.

I personally think the money could be best spent elsewhere.

Answer 4

I think that it shouldnt be something that is provided by the prison service, tax payers should not pay for prisoners to have a computer, although they can argue that using a computer can increase working skills there are still many school children that cant afford a computer of their own so if anyone should get free computers maybe this is a more appropriate option for funds. I think if prisoners families want to organise for them to have access to a computer then there should be options available to them but they should have very limited access to the internet and be restricted on the amount of time that they can spend on the computer, you have to remember that these people are in prison for a reason and being in prison is their punishment for some crime or another.

Answer 5

The problem is that where does it stop? When you commit a crime, there should be consequences. It's getting to the point where there are none. Under privileged children are not in prison. I don't think that they should have any luxuries, they are criminals. If and when they are released from prison and have served their time the possibility of course could be offered to use computers if the main argument is that they are being kept in the dark. They have libraries in prisons, so why does the illiteracy rate stay so high? It's not because they don't have computers, it's because they don't take the time or want to learn. I don't agree at all, even for the ones who have families who can afford to give them one, it's wrong. They have gone against the law and that is why they are there, outside rules need not apply.

Answer 6

It is a normal everyday event for a prisoner to smash everything in a cell that is breakable, including their pad mates stuff and their own as well as the television. Computers are expensive items.



Prisoners have access to computers during education. Enhanced prisoners (those who have displayed exemplary behaviour over an extended period of time) may have access to them during association. This is related to rehabilitation and improving computer literacy.



No Internet and no individual computers. Enhanced prisoners who want to play computer games are entitled to purchase certain games consoles with their own money from a limited a range via the prison canteen.



Where people have a relevant disability the Governor can agree to them using a computer in their cell to produce letters for their Solicitor etcetera.



The answer is no.

Answer 7

What another freebee !!! they get free education, free meals and a life of luxury, better than a lot of people on the outside.



If computers are made available they cannot monitor all of the sites that are being accessed. Even in supervised rooms this cannot happen. If the security was top notch in prisons, the drugs would not get in.



Prisoners should be given the basics to make sure the prison is not a nice place to be and make them reluctant to re offend not make it so comfortable people re offend to get back in.

Answer 8

I think that is rubbish! I mean, there are all sorts of websites that prisoners could go onto that might jepardise our safety - and yeah, I'm sure there will be controls on what sites they can have access to but do you remember being at school and always finding a way to see sites that have been banned? Plus, call me an old meany, but how many of these people can afford computers in their own homes? This is really just an outrage, I hope the plan never gets anywhere.

Answer 9

I don't feel comfortable with prisoners having computers in there own cells or even TV, but there should be a computer room with supervision and a TV room, i do understand that the punishment is to deprive them there freedom but lets not make prison a great place to be loads of people cant afford a computer so lets not make crime pay

Answer 10

no and they bloody well shouldn't have a tv in their cells either, what sort of punishment is this, conjugal rights, tv's, 3 square meals a day, gym, jobs for pocket money, chocolate and fags these ppl get more than some hard working tax payers and before someone bleats on about getting beaten in jail or raped these cases are few and far between and anyway some of them probably deserve it. if they governor or government want them to learn skills inside for preparation of their release they can do it in a classroom not in their cell. some whizz will find a way of hacking security programmes and what will the prisoners be logging onto then i wonder. its all wrong, there are schools that deserve those computers before the cons, my local college is well short of decent equipment. its sends out completely the wrong message, prison sentences are not long enough without giving them every luxury inside that some cannot afford on the outside.

Answer 11

I can see where he's coming from. Most prisoners are able to be rehabilitated, and computer skills are essential in this day and age. If prisoners are computer literate they will have a better chance of getting a job when they are released, and therefore they hopefully won't go back to a criminal lifestyle.



I'm not sure that I agree with every prisoner having a PC in their cell, but I think prisoners should have monitored access to computers and should be given the opportunity to learn IT.

Answer 12

I can understand that they are falling behind by not having computer skills but if they are in jail whats the point. Yea when they get out they aren't going to have the training but isn't that kinda their own fault? I'm sorry i have no remorse for them. We have too many in the system right now that we can't afford so why should we spend more money that we don't have? It's just a stupid idea.

Answer 13

Ridiculous! Prison is supposed to be punishment, not vacation from the world! Seriously, I can understand having some computers available so prisoners can learn some skills that could help them reenter society, but in their cells!?! WTF? Also, if their crime involved a computer, i.e. online pedophiles, hackers, etc., why would you even think about giving them a computer? I just don't understand the mindset that produces that kind of idea.

Answer 14

No they shouldn't. If they want to learn about computers then do it in a class room environment and not in their cells. A lap top for each prisoner- what ever next?



What if they have been sent to prison for down loading pictures of children?



The problem with this country is that we are getting to soft. Nobody cares about being sent to prison as they have all the comforts of home, TVs, PlayStation's and now they want computers.



It's mad

Answer 15

Ok have read it



Prisoners already have tvs, dvd players, cd players and games consoles depending on whether they are basic,standard or enhanced. So with regards to a laptop it wouldnt surprise me.

If a prisoner wants to learn through education then the education dept or library would provide the equipment and knowledge to use it.

Answer 16

Please don't stop there - give these evil bastard criminals a computer by all means, as well as a Giant plasma TV, room service, butler service, private chef, newspapers and magazines delivered to their cell and please allow them to invite a few friends round for drinks and a game of cards. Of course it goes without saying that the wife could move in as well.



Why do these "do gooders" always favour the criminal and never the victim? Hoodies beat some 55 year old man to death, is the victim's family interviewed on TV - NO, its the hoodies moms on TV saying their little boy would never have done this if his dad had not legged it when he was born.

Answer 17

I think that if a prisoner is studying then yes they should have access to a pc but only in a library and with regular checks to make sure that they are not abusing it. Educating prisoners is important and it is important to remember that not all criminals go on to re-offend.

Answer 18

OLPP looks OK however i don't think the general public would accept it. How many people already moan about prisons being too comfy, TVs in cells etc.



Prisons run education programmes whereby inmates can be taught how to use computers under supervision. That would be more acceptable to the majority who would rather have educational than entertainment for prisoners.

Answer 19

The money would be better spent supplying home computers for school children, people are in prison because they committed a crime while in the community, and as such they gave up the right to such luxuries.

Answer 20

Prison should have one purpose - to stop people offending.



If it is argued that prisoners having PCs gives them eductaion so they are less likely to re-offend, then its a good thing.



Whether they should just have access to one in common areas as opposed to in their rooms would need to be convincing though!



PS You will get lots of 'don't give them anything' answers. It might make you feel getter, but the less you work with offenders, the more likely they are to re-offend ans surely that is the better option.

Answer 21

I think computers are ok for them, but not an internet connection. If they want to educate themselves with software learning tools, that is not much different than using a library.



Criminals should be banned from the internet.

Answer 22

Forward Thinking ..!! The Guardianistas have lost the place with this idea...I can just see it now - the Glasgow Hilton - (which is up for sale) - being turned into the new Hilton Barlinnie Glasgow... a new concept in Prisoner Rehabilitation - Flat screen Multi-Media en-suites in each - Cell - sorry Room... Good Grief..and the say crime doesnt pay..

Answer 23

no no no no no they shoudl NOT



the reason they are in prison in the first time is cos they broke the law, they should NOT be rewarded with computers, dvds tv's or anything.



prison should be something people are afraid of not a flamin holiday camp!



and who will pay for these computers?!!? US!! our tax money will have to pay for them and im sure as hell not using MY hard earned cash to fund criminals and thier gadgets!

what is this place turning into? ugh

Answer 24

Absolutely not!! Prison is about punishment and allowing inmates uncensored access to the internet is asking for trouble!

Answer 25

Hi Barbie......As long as they don't have Internet access i don't see a problem.

If it would help to rehabilitate the prisoners and help them find employment when they are released,it might stop them re-offending

Answer 26

Prisoners get enough privaliges as it is, with tv/games etc.

If they have computers and the internet etc, they wouldn't be able to police is carefully enough. If they have computers, they should not be in their cells, and use should be monitored.

Answer 27

They wish to open up the world to those incarcerated because they have committed crimes, yet they confine disabled people to their homes as they can't afford transport for them or for disabled children and their carers- sounds like the labour government to me- it's ridiculous.



School children who can't afford computers at home are not given them to help them study- the whole country is upside down. Rewards for bad behaviour and penalise good behaviour!

Answer 28

Good God. You mean they hav'nt already ?? Am shocked. Call human rights. Bbringgg Bbringgg !

Deffo not. Guess crime does pay huh ?

Keep computer skills in the classroom not their cells.

Answer 29

NO. The idea of being in prison is that you have your freedom taken away from you and this should include the freedom to use a computer. Imagine if you let convicted paedo's have a computer in their cell, it would be just like being at home for them.

Answer 30

I don't think they should have them in their cells, but do agree they to the idea of them having access to them in a supervised setting, to learn computer skills etc.

Answer 31

No they should not, nor should they have TVs or DVDs. It's supposed to be punishment, not a holiday.



They can have a library with an internet cafe in it like everyone else.

Answer 32

The services i suppose are purely for social purposes,do gooders i suspect

Answer 33

I don't know.

I can see his point about them being more productive than TV's and like you say they would not have the internet, maybe?

Answer 34

wait for the thumbs down on this answer.



if it helps to educate them and the computers are subject to supervision , then they should, its not all about punishment, rehabilitation is important too, sex offenders and paedophiles, should not be allowed to have them, as their is no rehabilitation, for perversion, cheers Barbie.

Answer 35

in every cell no for learning yes in a classroom internet not really could imagine in here

Q= how can i obtain bluprints for hmp Belmarsh (joking)

but then it could be used for more illegal activities

Answer 36

Sure maybe we should open up a spa for them as well so they can get massages, pedicures and manicures. I think they get far to many benefits as it is and computers whoa...talk about opening up a can of worms. Yikes that could be scarey.

Answer 37

you bet ye, and a nice massage three times a week.

Answer 38

yea so they can scam and keep there act ivies going -keep in contact with gang menbers! scam innocent people out of there money - yes i think it a good idea !

Answer 39

Yes they should.



Prisoners are always stabbing & raping eachother & a PC might give them something to do.



If you wanna be a hard asss about it & not afford them luxury, give them dial up access instead of high speed internet.

Answer 40

yes and then they could come on yahoo answers........ ermm no thanks, makes me laugh how they do a terrible crime then get the best education money can buy.



I believe if one is bad enough to commit a crime, then always bad enough to commit another.

Answer 41

Barbie please stop with the links to the guardian.



If i wanted to read it i would go there myself.

Answer 42

i agree with ladybugs.

Answer 43

No - because we cannot afford it