Do prisoners have too many comforts, such as cable and internet, while incarcerated?
Cable and Internet are Luxuries
Those in prison should be treated fairly. But seriously, you don't need cable or internet to survive. My grandmother has fewer amenities in her nursing home, a place where you should feel comfortable. Not having cable/internet isn't a punishment; having it is a luxury. The money that is used for that should be spent on their protection instead. Many people get out of prison only to be trapped in a life of crime to pay off the debts they accrued trying to stay alive. I thinking keeping prisoners from being raped and murdered should be considered more important than having a fricking television.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, it wastes money.
We as the people of the US pay are taxes daily. But where on Earth is the money going to? Two words, prison inmate. Which could be truth, but those prisoners don't deserve anything like that. They can be trying to get computers to contact the outside world. What about are children who are on Facebook and Twitter, they couldn't even know who is on the other side of the screen. What has this come to?
Posted by: AnonymousRidiculous
My husband is in prison possibly for life. From what he's told me, even the sex offenders are allowed to have pornography if they request it. The very thing that got many of them started down the road to crime in the first place. They can have pen pals and take advantage of women on the outside to get money, visits, and even a place to go when released. The food is nothing to brag about, the beds are awful, the heat is off many times in the winter ... but they can have television, porn, read books on murder and rape, and be allowed to have contact with strangers. It is really messed up.
Posted by: AnonymousPrisoners do not deserve to have the comforts of a person outside of prison.
If you are in prison, you don't need the same advantages of a person outside of prison. Prisoners obviously did something bad enough to get in there, they don't need internet or cable. Internet could cause prisoners to be predators to young kids using the internet. They could also get escaping ideas and stuff from cable.
Posted by: AnonymousIt's sometimes better inside.
When it gets to the point that the criminals are living a better life inside prison than outside, it's too much. If rapists, murderers, etc want to have TV or Internet, they better earn it through hard labor. They should at least generate more work than is used to cover their expenses.
Posted by: AnonymousWhat?
Just being locked up is not punishment enough. If the idea of being in prison is supposed to stop people from going into prison why do people repeatedly commit crimes when the finish there sentence. What happens in prisons should shock people out of being criminals and from that massively discourage people from committing crimes and being sent to prison. It's not supposed to be a holiday camp? Is it...?
Posted by: AnonymousYes
It costs $24,000 to support a prisoner behind bars, yet the US poverty line for a family of 4 is only $23,050. Food in prison is actually better than food served in public schools. Think about it, we're feeding our rapists and murderers better meals than our own children. We are basically sending prisoners to a private resort. A prisoner should not have these privileges. Prison is supposed to be a form of punishment, not a home away from home.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, criminals are in prison as a punishment.
When someone commits a crime they are sent to prison as a punishment. Society should not allow them to have such a cushy life when they are supposed to be serving a sentence for a crime. This is like grounding a child for doing something wrong, then continuing to allow them to play video games, watch television, and use the internet while serving their time. However, not only does it defeat the purpose of sending them to prison as a punishment, it also makes prisons more expensive to run. The comfortable life of a prisoner may not make them try to prevent being put in prison again, therefore, they have not learned their lesson.
Posted by: AnonymousThey are treated too well
It bothers me so many working Americans are struggling, have shut off cable/satellite TV, have made drastic budget cuts, live paycheck to paycheck and have to worry about healthcare/medical bills. Meanwhile people who have killed, raped, molested and stolen from others have free healthcare, including dental and vision, cable TV, food, work out equipment and activities. Some prisons they have video games. Many have MP3 players. The prison I work at they can order food from an outside restaurant once a month. They have activities rooms with full band equipment; drums, guitars, bass guitars, keyboards, amps and multiple effect pedals/boards. I can't afford any of this but my tax dollars paid for them to get it.
Posted by: AnonymousPrisoners have entirely too many luxuries, since they should instead be thinking about their crime.
There is no reason that prisoners should have amenities, because they are there for a crime that was illegal. They should be able to read or have therapy, but they should not have any fun entertainment, like TV. This is the only way they have to sit and constantly think about their crime, and why they were wrong.
Posted by: M0r3InteriorWe should not be paying to make crimial's punishments more enjoyable.
Whilst in jail, prisoners receive:
• Access to a library
• A radio
• Newspapers
• Television access
• Allowances for chosen luxuries
• Free dental and hospital care
• Wi-Fi access
• Chances to buy cigarettes, DVDs and other chosen luxuries
• Choice of selected food
Prisoners can earn things with good behaviour like extra visits from friends and family and extra money to spend each week. However, they should be showing good behaviour all the time as they are in prison as a punishment for breaking the law and shouldn’t be rewarded at all; everyday, people that haven’t broken the law and aren’t in prison, show good behaviour and they don’t get rewarded so why should prisoners?
It costs £304, 000, 0000 per year of the tax payer’s and the gouvernment’s money to keep the prisoners in prison and provide them with all of these luxuries. As much as they deserve human rights, they do not deserve anything other than the necessities: a bed, privacy, food, water, toilet and a place to wash. Televisions, radios, newspapers and even allowances are given to the prisoners, when the money spent to pay for all of these un-necessary items should be given to people that deserve it and can’t even afford a bed. There are many homeless people in the world that have never broken the law, so surely they deserve a bed more than criminals deserve a television. The money should be given to them or other worthy charities.
We shouldn’t be wasting money on making someone’s punishment more enjoyable. It is proven that prisoners receive more luxuries than the elderly when placed in a care home. Wouldn’t you rather have the government spend money making care homes more enjoyable for the elderly, where they have to live, or waste money on making criminals happy? People are sent to prison for a reason: breaking the law. The government is using money to have these criminals sit in a cell watching television, smoking or listening to the radio when they should be working, earning their own money. The money used to make their punishments more enjoyable could be spent on anything to help our country, maybe even enrolling the criminals in the army, to serve our country and work off the laws they have broken.Posted by: LibbyMeasorPeople are sent to prison because they are being punished.
If they objective of jail is to be ' recorrected' in the right direction, then they should not be able to be lounging around and getting the luxuries of someone who hasn't done anything wrong. They have done this to themselves, no one did it for them. They must learn that there are consequences for every action. Just like a child. If you are a parent and your child disobeys. You punish them. But if the punishment is to be sent to bed without supper, you don't let your child sit on the computer or watch TV. They are being punished. So why doesn't the "mother" of correctional facilities realize that they are not just supporting the prisoners laziness, they are using tax payers money to support the luxuries for people who have broken the law. There are people out in the world right now that can't even afford to buy food for their family, but your wanting them to pay taxes so that lawbreakers can sit on their butts and watch TV and browse the internet? I don't think so. Yes I agree people are human, but that is why they are in jail, because they made a mistake. If they didn't want to be punished they shouldn't have done the crime that got them put into prison.
Posted by: AnonymousHmm.
The question asked is tough. i have reviewed several of the below comments and some people should research the topic more before voicing opinion, comments on both sides.
i would have to say that yes. depending on the severity of the crime such as rape, murder, pedophilia, etc, there should be separate facilities dedicated to much worse punishment though at the same time leaving them to rot without at least some entertainment for decades would probably offer a worse alternative to death. so in my opinion, luxuries should be a commodity, rationed to prisoners on faith or as a reward for good behavior.Posted by: AnonymousThey Are Criminals!
No matter what crime they commited, the fact is, they commited it. I'm sure nobody who is writing on this post is doing it from a prison computer, even though I'm also sure we all have made bad choices. Yes, some may be innocent, but they are minority, and there is no time for x-ray picking of innocence. Criminals are parasites, they take from society and don't give anything back. Rehabilitation through responsibility: they should be put to work, to build roads, bridges and labor the soil, and then earn those privileges such as cable and internet.
Posted by: JusticeMichaelFor the most part
They are not supposed to be renting a hotel room, on taxpayer money to boot. It is especially appalling that pedophiles get internet access. Cruel and unusual punishment is a term that has been misused. I think thought that certain things should depend on the type of crime they committed.
Posted by: BennyWPrison is supposed to be a hard time, so those in jail should not get perks.
Prisoners should get nothing but bread and water twice day. They shouldn't have free access to exercise equipment or TV. They should have nothing other than a bed, basic food, and their prison sentence. They should be doing hard labor too. They are in there for a reason. This nation is too soft, too politically correct, and too broke. Why are we paying the bill for these dirt bags? I also feel the nation should speed up death row sentences.
Posted by: AnonymousPrisons should be harsher because prisoners do not deserve human rights.
If prisoners have committed murder or rape then their human rights should be taken away. Prison should be a punishment--it should be like hell on earth. If a prisoner wants to starve themselves for protest then let them starve; if a prisoner incites a riot, detain him and let him clean up the mess. Internet, TV, and education shouldn't even be available; let them be bored. No wonder criminals don't mind prison--some seem to have it easy! Juvenile prison should be tougher too. If prisons were harsh and unbearable, then maybe people would think twice before committing horrible crimes.
Posted by: AnonymousJail is Jail
Jail is meant to be as uncomfortable as possible. The whole point is that you don't come back. However, if it's more comfortable to live in a jail then to live out here, there is something wrong. Inmates do some of the worst crimes possible and to have access to TV and internet is wrong. There is a difference between prisoners' rights and prisoners' privileges. Coddling prisoners defeats the whole purpose of a jail.
Posted by: Echo101A committed crime should be serve without convenience.
People who commit crimes, get sentenced, and go to jail - should not pass go. All the comfort of home should be thrown out the window. The jails make it way to easy - three meals a day, showers, TV, medical expense. Way to easy. No wonder so many people are there.
Posted by: AnonymousI believe prisoners enjoy far too many comforts, and it's redundant to demand criminals pay a debt to society by giving them free room and board.
While I believe that criminals all have a right to the necessities of life (food, shelter, and clothing), I also believe that the time that they spend in prison should be spent at labors that not only support the criminal, but also repay society. We would have fewer criminals if the law insisted that time spent in prison was spent working.
Posted by: WitchSauPrison should be punishment
Why do worthless pieces of crap locked up in prison get free cable, free medical, free food, free everything when people who haven't committed crimes have to pay for everything they have? It doesn't make sense why anyone would waste so much money on these rapists, pedophiles, murderers and drug dealers to make their worthless existences more comfortable. We should be spending the money on using inmates as test subjects for new weapons and for medical experiments. That way they can contribute to society.
Posted by: AnonymousYes, prisoners definitely have too many comforts, because jail time is supposed to be a punishment, not a vacation.
Yes, prisoners definitely have too many comforts. Jail time is supposed to be a punishment, not a vacation. Those in prison are given too many luxuries and drain our economy. They should be given the minimum needed for survival. If you commit a crime, there must be consequences, and prison should not be a hotel.
Posted by: WardGradYes (not 100% sure).
I voted yes because of the pictures and news I see. I have not known anyone to be in jail. I am not sure if these amenities are for the inmates or the guards. I just want to know the number of hours an inmate has to work each day? I am not a prisoner and I work an average of 10 hrs (just at office) to pay my bills including cable and internet. I think there should be some rule about inmates working for at least 12 hours a day (work can depend on their education and experience level.) Half of their pay for that work should be used to up keep their imprisonment and other half for later when they get out so they can get back in to the society.
Education for inmates should not be free. If some one is attending school in prison, they should still continue to work (like any other student outside of prison)
Just a thought.Posted by: AnonymousThey are treated too well
Inmates murder, rape, and steal from people. Some molest children. Yet they have free healthcare, cable/satellite tv. Some prisons they have MP3 players. These inmates also throw bodily waste on staff or attack staff. People who feel sorry for these people haven't stepped foot inside a prison and have no clue how they act. Correctional Officers have less rights than the criminals. If an inmate verbally assaults a staff he gets a disciplinary report and a slap on the wrist. If a CO cusses at an inmate they face time off without pay. It's absurd.
Posted by: PearlJamFanTOO MUCH FREEDOM
While in prison, you are meant to be taught right from wrong, and to be justly corrected. What they deserve is food, a blanket, a toilet, and some clothing. Not cable, internet, and air conditioning. They are to be in trouble, not to be comfortable. That is the whole point of prison.
Posted by: AnonymousDo the crime pay the fine
When someone decides to molest a young child they deserve to be treated like an animal. When someone robs someone at gun point causing the victim PTSD then they deserve to be treated like an animal. They dehumanized themselves for murder, manslaughter, whatever then yes they deserve to be treated like an animal because that is the choice they have made!
Small time criminals like petty theft or pot bust then thats a different story.Posted by: AnonymousThey are Crinimals
Prison is a place for punishment, not some place to get Cable TV and Internet and to chill. People go their because of their crimes, not to recieve free food. If your sister or brother was murdered, raped, hurt, etc, I am sure you would wish that person were dead! Well, these people have done that kind of stuff, and they are getting what they deserve. Many of these people are lucky even to be living. People say they are humans and deserve to be treated like the rest of us. But the criminals have murdered. But let's these criminals have a taste of their own medicine.
Posted by: AnonymousThe comforts in prison are often better than outside prison.
Flat screen TVs with cable, hot water and a private bathroom. Hot meals 24/7, and a comfortable bed... All for free. Living in prison now-a-days is luxury. You killed someone, and the price to pay is luxury living at no addition costs. It's wrong. People commit crimes so they can enter prison, where life is better.
Posted by: donald.kellerThey should be punished and don't deserve this luxury
Innocent people have to work for all those things that a prisoner gets for free, even pay taxes. Some prisoners have a better life than innocent people, for example people in Africa are starving whilst prisoners get to hang around with their so-called inmates and enjoy their Internet, cable, you name it. Countries like China, Iran and North Korea have one of the lowest crime rates because the prisons in their country are strict and brutal, and this is an improvement that is supposed to be proposed in our prisons.
Posted by: AnonymousThey're locked up for a reason..
They killed your own kind.. They stole your own kind.. They raped your own kind.. THEY HURT YOUR OWN KIND! Would you want the murderer.. of your loved one.. sitting in a place they call "home" loungeing on a seat watching t.v. or chatting on the internet with their next victim? ENJOYING HIS FREE FOOD! Laughing at the very own idea.. that you think hes suffering when hes really enjoying himself. There was a time in the world where any crime was an automatic execution. But we learned in time that was too inhumane.. That people deserved a second chance.. That doesn't mean we treat them with comfort and tell them with actions that what they did was okay. If they're gonna get a second chance.. it better be with some punishment.. they'll never forget. Not end up back in the real world and end up right back and say, "Oh well, back to being served."
Posted by: AnonymousI personally think that prisoners are too comfortable. They should be working!
Prisons are meant to be exactly that, prisons. They shouldn't have the luxuries that they do! They should be working, like the chain-gang. All prisons should do that. I also firmly believe in the "eye for an eye" rule. You killed someone? You be hanged, like Saddam. You don't get to sit around in prison for 30-40 years, then get out.. Just to kill again! It's just not right.
Posted by: AnonymousYesssss
Please sign this petition Criminals should not have the luxury of watching TV in their Cells and then please share!!!!!!!!!
http://www.change.org/petitions/the-governor-of-ks-pass-vinny-s-law-take-electronics-away-from-inmatePosted by: alexian.barnesYes
Prison is supposed to be something you DON'T want to experience, not a convenience! Watching cable and using the internet are not going to help them turn their lives around, there are much better ways of doing that. If being away from family/friends is such a terrible thing, then if the family/friends care about them they can visit on occasion, grow up! It's a tough world, but not in America anymore. Look at how other countries run their prisons, like Black Dolphin for example in Russia. How many issues do they have there? I am sure public knowledge of having prisons like that discourage criminals to some degree.
Posted by: AnonymousNo
I'm going to stray from my usual moderate conservative agenda for a second, and buzz in on something that's bothered me for a bit now; prisoner's rights. Everyone knows we Americans waste billions per year on keeping non-violent offenders, and maybe violent offenders, who may have made a simple bad choice wasting away behind bars. I say wasting away, because if one is sent to jail/prison, it is supposed to teach a lesson, punish, plus keep the public safe, but there isn't too much a prisoner can do to enrich their, and their neighbor's life experience. Sure, there are a some genuine aims at rehabilitation, but they are few and far between.
My problem is that when you put someone in a box, and take away all of their dignity, usefulness, safety, and basic pleasures (sense of purpose, learning, sense of community, etc.), then you are essentially creating a potential ticking time bomb, which may be worse for the public, upon the prisoner's release date, than before. Don't get me wrong, if a wrong is committed, then there must be a reckoning, but most inmates probably aren't spiritually disciplined enough to just sit in their cell, meditate on their transgressions, and turn into a productive member of the community upon being freed. It's easy to say, "Well too bad for them! They shouldn't have ever given into a critical moment of weakness!". Who loses by stripping these people, yes they are still people, of some outlet to grow as a human in some positive way? Everyone does.Posted by: AnonymousAbsolutely yes! Insane
I am amazed that inmates have health insurance and dental, I don't even have both of those. My taxes go to this and i could be buying myself health insurance and/ or dental, but instead it is used on people who do not deserve to see the light of day! It is insane!
Posted by: amandataylorThis is why, the United States of America has the highest rate of people in prison in the WORLD!
No offense, but the US has the most people in prison than any other country! Can you see why? Prisoners actually get more tax dollars than public schools! Why fund murders, robbers? Why can't we fund public schools! This is honestly why the United States of America is so screwed up!
Posted by: AnonymousYes
the point of jailing people is to punish them for what they have done, not give them reason to want to stay there, though it would be nice if they never left. The point is that they are supposed to be miserable and away from the world. give them internet and they could organize a crime via facebook or something
Posted by: BA_BA_BAThey did something wrong and should get the privleges
There are good people in the world who cant afford tv and internet but the people in jail get it. Prisoners would proble feel that they didnt do anything wrong and when they get out they will just do it agian to get back into jail. Therefor Prisoners should not have cable tv or internet
Posted by: AnonymousYes.
If you're a prisoner, you should be in a cold cell with a threadbare blanket, no running water, no medicine, and meager food. Also, you should have to do hard labor fourteen hours a day at below minimum wage, the proceeds of which go to fund the prison. And you should have absolutely zero free time. It's not a vacation.
Posted by: AlwaysMoreThanYouPrisons are much too soft nowadays
I have worked inside prisons for years now. I can tell you first hand that for many of these guys they could not live as good on the outside as they do on the inside. Many people would be shocked if they really knew how prisons are today. They have access to commissary, TV, 24 hour medical services, dentistry, foot and eye doctors, nutritionists, three meals a day, a dedicated recreation area, free prescription drugs, mental health services, GED classes and church services. Its a real scam. People think its "prison" its not. Let me put it this way Mr. And Mrs. Liberal, explain to me why these rapists and murderers get to live better than their victims! They should be locked down and they should stay that way until their time is served.
Posted by: AnonymousITS CALLED JAIL
Its a jail where you lose your freedoms. I can't afford cable, prisoners get it from my tax dollars.
Either you let me have my money back or you give me a tax credit for getting my own cable and internet. Why should I bother following laws when prisoners get benefits I can't afford by following the laws.Posted by: AnonymousI do not believe that criminals deserve such luxuries while they are in prison.
Prison is a place where you are to be punished for crimes; not sit back, relax and enjoy your stay. Also, why should they be able to sit in prison and enjoy cable TV and Internet access at no expense to them while innocent people have to go to work and earn the money to buy those things. Honest citizens have to work and their tax money goes to pay for the prisoners' entertainment. I believe that the system has it wrong. The prisoners should at least have to earn the privilege to use those things.
Posted by: AnonymousPrisoners have it too easy in Prison
Everything is done for them in prison. They're so well taken care of that when they get out they cant fend for themselves and they just want to go back in. They're cold they get a sweatshirt given to them, they're hungry then they get fed. They can get on the internet just like we can, they have tv privileges, they can buy things from a canteen just like we can from a store, they can just a gym. All of things for free. They're taken care of better than some kids are taken care of by their parents of course they would wanna come back. Prison life needs to be hard and unpleasant so that the felon wont want to come back.
Posted by: AnonymousPrison needs to be more severe.
The problem with the current prison system is prisoners are still basically free to do what they want inside prison walls. Prison is only a deterrent to law abiding citizens, career criminals are quite comfortable inside prison. I think there is too much interaction between prisoners. Prison should be a place no one wants to go, and it may need to be tailored to fit individuals. I believe all prisoners should be in solitary confinement, prisoners should eat their meals in their cells instead of a group cafeteria. I think the Russians have got prisons perfected, we could learn a lot from them in this regard.
Posted by: AnonymousUseless drains on society.
They deserve nothing but a cold stone floor to sleep on, cold tasteless food, cold showers, Give them no rights, no luxury, nothing, let them know how it feels to be in jail and never to want to go back there. That's what they deserve for committing crimes, that will work.
Posted by: AnonymousFree Ride? NO!
Every human has a right to BASIC necessities. Food, Shelter, Water. Many LAW ABIDING citizens go without at least one of these things within their lifetime. So why is is that someone who has broken the law, and is being cared for by MY hard earned tax dollars gets to have privileges that I do not? If I want cable, I pay for it. If I want internet access, I pay for it. If I want an education beyond high school, I pay for it. Why should people who are serving time for aggreviances against society be given PRIVILEGES that we are not afforded?
Posted by: AnonymousYes, they have too many comforts.
In Canada we enjoy one of the highest standards of living in the world. Still millions of Canadians live at or below the poverty level. They struggle daily to pay the rent, feed their families and just get by. Why should our society support criminals to the tune of over $100,000 a year per inmate while incarcerated, while allowing law abiding citizens to live without the benefits that these inmates have, such as prescription drug coverage, dental and vision care, healthy meals everyday, free access to cable television, internet, free access to health / exercise facilities. What incentive is there for inmates to "go straight" if the odds are that with an average honest job their standard of living would drop dramatically?
Posted by: AnonymousYes, prisons are for punishment.
Our prisons are overcrowded because the conditions are better than many prisoners can get on the outside. As soon as they get out, they want to go back. This is well documented. If they had the same luxuries on the outside, they would have to work for it! There are many levels of prisons. I am not talking about the prisons for white collar crimes. The most violent & prolific criminals should have no TV, no music, no computers, no books, magazines or newspapers and definitely no weights to work out with. Just 4 walls to look at and think about their crimes. There is a great documentary out on Russian prisons in Siberia, currently available on Netflix. The USA should learn something from this on how to handle violent criminals. We have tried to rehabilitate violent criminals and where has it gotten us? Nowhere. Prisons are meant to break people as a punishment for their crimes and the lives and families they destroyed. We have to deter crime by making prison conditions so horrible, no one wants to go there.
Posted by: AnonymousYes
Prison is not supposed to be fun. Prison is punishment for doing something wrong. There are homeless people that have never done a thing wrong in their life. Do they get Cable and internet? Prisoners do not deserve such privileges. They had their chance to have these things, they should of lost it.
Posted by: LincolnHow are criminals better than those in need?
Why should they get better treatment than those who need assistance, like people who get laid off? The money saved from terminating cable, wifi and such, could go to other programs for people who don't commit crimes need. Prisoners may be human, but most commit very inhumane acts of violence.
Posted by: AnonymousIt depends on their crime.
For people in jail for petty and nonviolent crimes, I see no problem with giving them a few home comforts. However, as most prisoners have committed serious crimes, especially ones like murder, rape, arson, etc, I think that they need to be punished, and harshly. Jail is mostly a place for punishment, after all.
Posted by: InconsistentTake care of themselves
Seriously, 5% of tax payers money goes towards making prisons a better place. Why can't prisoners just do something to actually contribute to society, by growing their own food and simply supplying their own needs and wants. If they did a crime, no matter what it is, they should have to take care of themselves instead of being handed things to entertain themselves. This way they could also have some sort of life experience and trade for when, and if, they are released. I honestly do not think it is fair that they are allowed internet access and television. They are in prison for doing something that was wrong and simply have to serve their time without learning what the difference in privileges are.
Posted by: AnonymousConvicted criminals don't deserve what they have if they cant follow the law
Too bad if people thinks its unjust and cruel not to give prisoners luxuries. What if the murderer that was in there killed one of your family? would you want him living like royalty. Prison should be as basic as it gets nothing extra at all. We have to pay for these murderers, rapists, molesters, and other crime committing felons. Well I believe they've lived the life long enough time to cut back on there luxuries. They don't deserve it
Posted by: Noswad63Prison is not a hotel
Prison should be a punishment. Comforts (such as television, internet, gaming systems, cell phones, etc... ) should not be given. Prisoners should be given the choice to perform labor for pay, access to reading material, and access to exercise equipment (to include sports). I could even be convinced that they should have access to education to get a degree.
It's a punishment, not a hotel. Threat of incarceration should be more of a deterrent than it is.Posted by: SteveDockWhy reward an act that shouldn't be rewarded?
The guy that shot and killed your friend goes to jail. You look on Facebook and find he is back on. Why are they rewarding crime? Yes we have rights, we are people, but we didn't rob, kill etc. There should be a line somewhere. How about you have a right to live and that's that.
Posted by: AnonymousDisgusting human beings.
This is disgusting. Why should the prisoners get so many luxuries, when they are in prison for a reason. To be honest, many people try to get into prison these days so they can have a better life and don't have to work to earn money. This is messed up. Prison isn't a punishment with all the things the prisoners receive. Prisoners receiving all these luxuries, should be stopped. Otherwise it's pointless for them going to prison because the outside world seems to be more of a punishment than it is inside prison. Things need to change.
Posted by: AnonymousThey don't deverse it
We are basically rewarding them to do crime, oh you did something wrong, don't worry we will reward you with internet, 3 meals a day, and a TV. These are luxuries that some people can't afford but these prisoners are getting it for free. And we are paying for them to live in luxuries with our tax money!
Posted by: AnonymousThey are prisoners because they committed a crime and are in prison to be punished, not to be entertained.
Prisoners are sentenced to prison in order to be kept away from society and the entertainment that comes with being a part of society. They are there to reflect upon what they did, and to make changes to hopefully come out as a productive member of society. Prison is not a daycare center or a place to be entertained. They should not be allowed to watch television or have internet access, especially since their stay in prison is on the taxpayer's dime.
Posted by: Giles19Rehabilitation
Jail is supposed to be a rougher form of rehab. I believe that Rehabilitation through hard labour is the only way for people to realize. Even on the small crimes such as home disputes, those people should have to do hard labour. If they can't respect the law, you have to FORCE them to respect the law.
Posted by: immacul4tePrisons should not be comfortable, and certainly should not have luxuries and, therefore, many prisons today have too many comforts.
Prisons are not meant to be pleasant places. They are supposed to deter those who may consider breaking the law. When prisons become too comfortable then, for many in the lower levels of society, it becomes no deterrent at all. Some may actually enjoy prison. Therefore, luxuries should be removed.
Posted by: EminentBennett93Wasting money on criminals
Jail is supposed to be punishment, not giving them free internet and TV. And it is wasting money too. The point of jailing people is for punishing them for their crimes.There's no actual rehabilitation being done when they're just chilling on Facebook playing Tetris battle and waiting for their release date.
Posted by: 1dustpeltprisoner treatment is far to easy going
I think that the fact that prisoners that have broken the law and hurt are society get to live with luxuries like watching TV, internet, and even three meals a day. I am mad this is happening because i know people who have not committed any serous crimes and don't even get to eat three meals a day and yet we spend are tax money on people who have killed others or committed hard core crimes so they can live without any worries that every citizen does in the US every day so yes i really think that they have way to many comforts for being convicted criminal.
Posted by: AnonymousWork for the luxuries
I don't believe anyone should have to sit in a 4x8 room and stare at the walls 23 hours a day. Of course it depends on what the person is being punished for. But nobody, especially bad people, deserve a free ride and for some of these repeat offenders this is just a way of life. If they want benefits, they can work for them. I mean hard labor, otherwise its just sit in that room. I know the liberals believe in rehab but they can also work for their bennies! Remember, if they just sit on their asses watching TV etc. When they get released they will do the same thing.
Posted by: AnonymousPrisoners have TV's in their cells?
I just read about a convicted murderer (who was obsessed with the TV show Dexter) and is in a prison in Canada and it says that he bought his own 60 inch flat screen TV for his cell and has up to 60 channels he can watch, along with his DVD's. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Why in the world would prisoners be allowed to do that? What punishment is that? My father sits and watches TV ALL Day long, he's retired, but thats what he does and you mean to tell me this murderer is allowed to just chill all day and watch TV?! Unbelievable.
Posted by: AnonymousI believe prisoners do have too many comforts; they have more than what some of our working citizens can afford.
I feel the prisoners have earned nothing but prison and should have the very minimum standards while doing their time. Our senior citizens and many others often live without air conditioning, cable television or computers to utilize the Internet. We move money from schools and services to fund our prisons, giving to people who chose not to give to society.
Posted by: PunkinKillers shouldn't get cable!
Those who murder shouldn't be allowed to sit around in a room however bare and cold it is and watch cable T.V. And use the internet! These people are in prison for a reason and yet we pamper them with electronics and entertainment! The money used to buy these T.V.S should be used for food or even cloths and such not Television!
Posted by: AnonymousI believe that prisoners have too many comforts while locked up, and it doesn't promote them acting better when they get out.
If prison isn't all that bad, why do they need to mend their ways? From a prisoner's point of view, committing a crime doesn't pose that much of a risk since they get a lot of comforts while locked up for their supposed punishment.
Posted by: darcyskaHow is being unproductive helping someone be part of society again?
After watching a documentary about prisons in America giving the inmates privileges such as pet cats, and Xboxes, I started to realize that they spend their days locked up in a cell, just being lazy and worthless.
A lot of inmates could use psychiatric help, or they should learn how to be part of society by working and learning how to make something of their lives whilst away from society. What right do they have to be living an easy life of luxury, whilst everyone else has to work and pay for them? They should give something back, not just kept away for nothing.Posted by: AnonymousPrisoners get too much down time.
Prisoners would enjoy going to prison knowing that they are escaping their own reality. They would not have to deal with paying for bills, dealing with issues in their daily life, or worrying about every other small problem in the real world. They would have 23/ 24 hours of downtime which is plenty of time to contemplate better ideas for crimes or ways of not getting caught. Prisoners have the ability of getting free food, free time, free care, and free of stress, if I was a prisoner I would love that too, this is why it needs to be stricter
Posted by: angelacurrie28The rest of the people work for what they have.
Most people work hard for what they have, and things such as cable TV are not a necessity. There's no reason for prisoners to get luxuries that the average people have to pay for. Prisoners having Facebook pages and fan pages is ridiculous coming from someone who thinks morals are still important.
Posted by: AnonymousYou do realize what a prison is for, right?
The main purpose of prison is to punish and rehabilitate. Sending prisoners in to relax with free cable and internet defeats the purpose of both purposes. You're going to try and punish people by letting them watch My Little Pony whenever they want and letting them check their inmate twitter whenever they want? Seriously? There's no actual rehabilitation being done when they're just chilling on Facebook playing Tetris battle and waiting for their release date.
Posted by: ZaradiWalking around with phones, drugs, liquor...
I mean come on now, in the day of Facebook even I've seen photos and videos of people in prison that have their Facebook littered with contraband. Living the life...TV, food, computer, human Interaction???, Tobacco, alcohol, free will... even sex... Sounds like a vacation to me...We need to crack extremely down on our prison/jail systems and make sure we send a crystal clear message to all the wannabe thug/criminal/murderers out there who are thinking about getting into that line of work, that the United States of America will not tolerate it. Hardened the system and protect the people who pay your paychecks.
Posted by: AnonymousPrison is supposed to be a punishment.
Prison should not be enjoyable. The less fun prison is, the more likely the criminal will not commit a crime again. If prison has too many comforts, the criminal might do something while thinking, "You know, if I get caught, prison wasn't that bad. It's worth the risk."
The only exception should be for people with prison for life. They're not getting out ever, and they need something to do for all those years.Posted by: martiansharkYes absolutely they do
Prisons are required to have cable for the inmates and they have 3 square meals a day that are often better quality food than high school lunches that they get off our tax dollars while high school students have to pay for lunch. They also get time to lift and get into better shape and are provided with the equipment to do so.
Posted by: AnonymousCable and Internet? - Shutdown!
I think that if the prisoners have done something wrong then why do we have to show sympathy? If they have Internet access then they could contact someone outside the prison and tell them to do their job. Also it takes about $24,00 to support a prisoner behind bars which is way above the U.S poverty line for a family of four, which is $23,050. So the choice is yours, who do you want to help? The people who have done something wrong or the people who are trying to live with doing nothing wrong and living with less money.
Posted by: AnonymousYes
If you're willing to break the law, then you should be willing to have no internet or cable. Homeless people have done nothing wrong, yet they have less respect and less privileges than a convict. The money spent on all of this should go to the homeless or for education.
Posted by: AnonymousIt's Prison, Not a hotel!
Not enough people fear going to prison. If they want luxuries, they should pay or stay out of trouble. Simple! I'm doing it right now! It is not that hard to be a productive member of society. Prison is glorified and funds are mismanaged. Take the televisions out and put more money into things that matter in these facilities, like mental health care.
Posted by: AnonymousIts Just Stupid!
They have committed a crime therefore they should have to do the time. They should have no unnecessary luxuries like cable television or internet. They should not have to access pornography or books about murder and rape. Its just feeding fuel to the fire, and possibly encouraging the behaviors that they were imprisoned for or even worse starting new a new habit they they could possibly be later imprisoned for!!
Posted by: tianaroseFree internet and cable yes!!!
Criminals getting anything but a bucket and a blanket is a joke. Pay for your crimes in a real way not by going to free room with free cable, free food, free meds, and free education. This is why they keep reoffending because jail is just a joke!!! Stop feeling sorry for these thugs they didn't care when they committed the crime why should we the taxpayers pay for their crimes!!!
Posted by: AnonymousIt's absolutely outrageous!
Poor innocent people in serious poverty, dealing with the emotion and physical burden of the financial difficulties they have (which may or may not be their fault) and in this country and we are supporting the shameful criminals such as murderers, pedophiles and more with the comforts others cannot afford.
Posted by: charlotte23yes, we shouldnt be wasting money on making their punishments more enjoyable.
It costs £304,000,0000 per year of the tax payers money to keep the prisoners in prison and provide them with all of these luxuries. As much as they deserve human rights, they do not deserve anything other than the necessities: a bed, privacy, food, water, toilet and a place to wash. Televisions, radios, newspapers and even allowances are given to the prisoners, when the money spent to pay for all of these un-necessary items should be given to people that deserve it and can’t even afford a bed. There are many homeless people in the world that have never broken the law, so surely they deserve a bed more than criminals deserve a television.
Posted by: AnonymousYes
Criminals are still criminal! they should not have comforts inside the jail because they were being punished for what they've done to the innocent people. Another is where is the essence of justice there, if they where treated in the same manner:)
Posted by: qwertyuToo many do.......
When our elderly have the same level of housing (clean, warm etc), food, medical care, and THEIR needs met, then Maybe we can take a look at the comfort needs of our society's CRIMINAL population. Perhaps jails/prison's internment environment should match the crime of the prisoner. Many of the worst criminals COULD have been shot trying to escape arrest.
Posted by: AnonymousThey committed a crime
Prisoners should not have to go without meds. Yet on that matter they should not be allowed to watch disney channel or the news all day. if they wish to do those things, they should try for parol. My favorite prison. the one where they sleep in tents, in the desert, and wear pink pajamas while doing community service. Agreed?
Posted by: Ari_Burfineway too much freedom
I just took a field trip to a maximum security prison in West Virginia. I was blown away with how much freedom the inmates had. They had tvs, Xbox, PlayStation, they were also allowed in the yard as much as they want. The crimes inside prison has raised dramatically in 2013 with 6 stabbings with chives (make-shift knives) in 2013 alone at mount olive max security prison. I believe they need to be more strict and be allowed to ruff the prisoners up a little.
Posted by: AnonymousNo
Not everyone is in prison for murder or violence. They are still human beings. Some deserve to rot away but most of these people need help, not ignorance. When you have a problem, it needs to be confronted, not locked away for a while. Everyone in prison has a mother, a father, some sort of family or friends; their blood runs red same as yours and mine. Have a little respect for human life or you are no better than a murderer; it's as good as taking somebody's life away while they still breathe.
Posted by: AnonymousDo prisoners have too many comforts....while incarcerated?
Prison is punishment. Some of the inmates are living better than someone on the outside. I do not like the idea of paying taxes to take care of a person that doesn't know how to stay on the right side of the law. The inmates should have the basic minimum that is needed, three hot meals a day, a comb/brush, a toothbrush/toothpaste, soap, a towel/washcloth, warm clothes/shoes, a bunk with a blanket. I know some homeless men that are veterans of a war that need these things more than the inmates do.
Posted by: AnonymousWhat is the value of a lost human life?
People who commit terrible crimes should not get comforts, other than a bed, books and their own thoughts for quiet contemplation. To murder or rape someone is the most grave crime a human can commit, someone's life is exterminated, snuffed out, never to return and a lifetime of grief and sadness for the real victims. Making prison more pleasant is trivializing the nature of the crime. Prisoners will not grasp quite how serious their crime is if they are getting presents. Now people say treating them well reduces re-offending rates. Okay, but it does not act as a deterrent for anyone thinking of committing a crime, after all what is the worst that can happen if they are getting cable etc.
Posted by: AnonymousYes,
Prisoners deserved to be tortured and go mad.
Posted by: sculmer2I believe that prisoners have way too many luxuries, and that prison shouldn't be too comfortable, because it is a punishment, not a free ride.
When you are convicted of a crime and sent to prison, it should be just that: prison. There shouldn't be luxuries, like cable television and Internet. These are items that we all have to pay for, and I don't believe that we should pay for those items for people who have broken the law. Their entertainment could be books from a library, or regular free television. But, we don't need any more expenses incurred by housing these criminals. It's not fair and it's not right. They should be punished, not pampered.
Posted by: SilentIgnacioAn absolute joke
The UK government has failed to deliver the most simple, basic guideline of prison;
Prison is supposed to be a place of punishment, a citizen commits a crime so he/she is to be sent
To place so awful that their time spent there should be unbearable so that ideally upon completion of their sentence thy are compelled not to commit crime again! That is the simplest concept of what prison is supposed to be that my mind can possibly contemplate and yet even that has failed to come into fruition. Prisoners should be placed in a brick room with a toilet and somewhere to sleep, they should be provided with the bear minimum amenities to remain in a healthy stable condition. Instead , however, prisoners get satellite television, hair salons, thousands of pounds worth of support and counselling, a vast choice of meals on a daily basis and more luxuries than many all inclusive holidays that I've been on! Prisoners ask for special treatment and in most cases are granted their demands e.G. Extra time to skype loved ones, who their cell mates should be. In one case I have known a prison guard to run down to the local shop to get an inmate a pack of cigarettes! Our justice system is an absolute joke and quite frankly an embarrassment. The government needs to get a grip and understand that they are failing to produce the whole idea of prison.Posted by: anonamous123
They are still humans
We're talking about some people who are going to be in jail for decades. They aren't hurting anybody by watching TV. I think that they don't deserve all their luxuries, but you can't lock them in a cell with a bucket and a blanket.
Posted by: AnonymousThey don't need punishment
It's better for everyone if prisoners are being rehabilitated and not punished. I am sorry if it upsets someone that a prisoner is receiving a couple of luxuries. There are way too many people that are incarcerated in the United States and if we weren't so focused on punishing everyone, prisoners could actually learn to be contributing members of society. We can handle a few upset people that feel justice isn't being served so that prisoners spend less time in jail and more time bettering their lives.
Posted by: sakinleNo
They're incarcerated, ie; away from their wife, kids, grandpa, mom, brother, sister, job, dog- society, period. it's hell! Every holiday is misery! they're locked up with guys that have no possibility of ever getting out, guys that will KILL you just as soon as accept an excuse me for stepping on their state issued boot. It's no summer camp people. take away all "luxuries" and what you have is sheer hell on earth. Hell on earth is not conducive to "rehabilitation". Let's not forget that people get released at some point... we want people to learn from their mistakes not become sociopathic animals. Grow up.
Posted by: AnonymousThey are humans with rights
My partner is in jail, he doesn't get theses luxuries he pays a pound a week for his tele and its smaller than an iPad screen he works as a wing cleaner to get his money and his rights, without it he would like all the other prisoners be so bored they start getting agitated and volatile! You really don't have any idea how hard prison life actually is unless your in the situation and living in a cell with a tiny tele plastic knifes and forks food that makes you ill a thin mattress and a blanket being told what days and times you can shower and have a sane convo with some one! Don't judge what you don't know there alone in a cell with no loved ones, no I want some crisps ill walk to the shop! People like you lot will turn offenders in to psychopaths! Get the full facts first!
Posted by: Anonymouswut.
I haven't seen any evidence that prisoners are enjoying the high life. Those who agree with this seem to be assuming that a large portion of prisoners actually HAVE these comforts. We have overcrowded prisons and very unsanitary ones. You can't change the fact that prisoners are human, maybe they were caught stealing to feed their family. Like Jean Valjean in Les Miz.
Posted by: Dr.StrangeloveNo, just, no.
I've been to a level two prison, which is medium security. We had no cable, no internet. What you saw on TV was 4 different channels, none of which were any good, and you could only hear them if you bought a portable radio for $50. We didn't have access to computers, let alone internet. You only ate good food when you had money for canteen, which was very limited. There were no programs for anyone to improve their life except to get a GED or WorkKeys card.
We could get books, but they usually sucked unless you ordered your own, and you could only do that if you had family and friends who would send you money, because you couldn't earn it for working. Medical care sucks. One man got a hip replacement, and the doctor screwed it up and one of his legs was longer than the other, and SCDC refused to pay to have it fixed.
We didn't get to go outside except for maybe once or twice a week. The only thing you had to do was sleep and play cards with your cellmate basically. Prison sucks.Posted by: AnonymousNo
They should still have this stuff they still are human beings. They were all born free and equal in dignity and rights. Being able to watch TV is not a right you can take away. Everyone deprived of liberty should still be treated with humanity and dignity. The human being should still be treated honorably.
Posted by: AnonymousStill Human
Not everyone is in prison for murder or violence. They are still human beings. Some deserve to rot away but most of these people need help, not ignorance. When you have a problem, it needs to be confronted, not locked away for a while. Everyone in prison has a mother, a father, some sort of family or friends; their blood runs red same as yours and mine. Have a little respect for human life or you are no better than a murderer; it's as good as taking somebody's life away while they still breathe.
Posted by: AnonymousFACTS
Tax payers don't pay for cable or internet. The inmates basically are paying for it. There is a huge mark up at the canten(their store). The money that comes from that pays for cable, internet, books in the library, and other things like that. Come on people. know your facts before posting your opinion.
Posted by: AnonymousThey deserve normal conditions
No, I don't think that prisoners have too many comforts, because actually they have enough stress, they
still deserve good conditions as they all humans. Some have been convicted unfair, but even if they had committed
crimes, you don't know what incited them to do it, you don't know what they have been through to make the crimes they did.
Many of them repent in the things they have done and nobody is beyond redemption. I think that most of these people
should not be in prison, they need a help to overcome the experience they got once, that pushed them to make the
things they are convicted for now.Posted by: TatyanaDoesn't Hurt
1. Access to the internet is a right. This was agreed upon in the U.N. 2. Fines can pay for it. Who says taxes have to be involved? Just increase fines for all crimes slightly and use the money for stuff like internet in jails. 3. Internet can distract the prisoners from violence. 4. If prisoners hate jail, many of them will obviously feel like getting some revenge if they're released. Having internet can reduce that.
Posted by: Anonymousthey're still human
Get real here. They don't have a life after incarceration. They are forgotten people. Disrespected by staff, other inmates, and themselves. Life is hard enough for them. Especially when doing a large amount of time. They end up turning on each other. Prison officials know this. Guards allow it, a 'code of conduct' made up by the inmates flourishes because its easier for the guards to do nothing. If attacked you also get punished, if you tell of the assault or not. The saddest is losing contact with the outside world. These few conveniences help in keeping them attached to the normal world. I don't know what is worse, the other prisoners or the uninterested guards.
Posted by: AnonymousThey are human
somebody should be treated like animals. I mean we all commit crimes everyday some that get caught and some that don't but it is still a crime but sometimes our crimes our over looked like cheating the poor and stealing what is not ours and hurting people with our words and actions that affects and hurts every one . How I look at it he who is without sin let home cast the first stone
Posted by: euniquaNo
Being locked up is punishment enough. The aim is to help these unfortunatel people to underestand their problems and try to turn them around so that on release they are ready to become tax paying citizens and lead a healthy well balanced life. Without help some people just can't do this and when you look at their upbrining and life history it is often not surprising that they commit crimes as a way out. Understanding is the beginning of success for many, both in jail and out.
margaretPosted by: AnonymousThey don't have enough comforts
Everybody makes bad mistakes some people get caught for them. Just about eveybody has or will make mistakes that if they were caught doing would put them in jail. Give me a break look at the world and the shape it's in, crooked politicians, presidents etc. The world is fueled by greed and money. O.J. Simpson was allowed to murder two people without any punishment, why because he was rich and famous. There's no such thing as a justice system, If there was Sheriff Joe Arpaio would be in his tent city wearing his pink underwear.
Posted by: AnonymousInsanity!
You realize they are already being forced to pay to be locked up in a small cell all alone (or with a cell mate that drives them absolutely mad) Without something normal, to entertain them they would go absolutely bonkers! Picture it like being grounded for years and years all you kids out there (besides, all of you have been a kid at one time or another) Maybe some types of media could even have a positive influence on them. Who knows.
Posted by: AnonymousThey pay extra for those kinds of things
average prisoners are exactly what people stereotypes them as. living in a cell with an insane roommate and being bored out of their minds.
Posted by: imabenchRehabilitation not Punishment
Being "tough on crime" is proven not to work. If you punish people (most are in for non violent crimes) they will just get angry. We should focus on making better people than punishing them. Would you rather have angry people who've learned nothing or contributing members of society? Burn the prisons.
Posted by: AnonymousNo, because they are not animals.
They are in their situation because they were unable to handle regular life, had criminal tendencies, and were unable to deal with anger or mental stress. To get rid of their past, they need a pleasant environment, and they need to know what's going on in the outside world. Once they come out of the prison, if everything is new (technology, etc.), then they couldn't continue their normal life.
Posted by: Pyr0AugThey Are Called "Correctional Facilities"
Prison is a negative thing yes, and it should not be a fun place to be. That being said it is not the place of the criminal justice system to make their lives a living hell. The purpose of a correctional facility is to rehabilitate these people from their former lives of crime and make them productive healthy members of society. Sitting in an empty concrete room will only brood a hate for the system and everyone involved in it. However if they are treated in a respectable manner and not as animals, people can be conditioned and/or made to change. The idea is not to keep them locked up forever, the United States incarcerates far too many people as it is. We hold over twenty five percent of the world's incarcerated population.
Posted by: AnonymousOpportunities
Its common knowledge that everyone isn't born with a silver spoon in their hand. To a certain degree you are a product of your environment, and its human nature to emulate what you see throughout your life. Unfortunately some people only see negative behavior, so that's all they know. Bottom line its a huge circle that begins at home. Most people look at Urban areas and mock them instead of realizing that for most of those people life isn't about the luxuries your exposed to and moving up in life and becoming wealthy. Success in their eyes is simply surviving to see the next day. As long as there are programs in these prisons teach them other ways of survival and success I'm fine paying for the limited luxuries.
Posted by: Anonymousno
Justice is not about rehabilitation, it's about retribution and as such is designed in such a way as o find the majority of defendants guilty, regardless of evidence. This is because people are sentenced on the balance of probability, very rarely on factual guilt. This means that if an allegation is made the court will assume guilt and require the defendant to prove their innocence. This is not easy, even for those who are factually innocent. Prison itself does nothing to either deter crime, or rehabilitate. or the most part governments accept that there are many innocent people in prison, but find it an acceptable consequence, rather than to ever admit that the justice system is highly fallible. Life in prison isn't easy for anyone, and it's even harder for those who are innocent. Any luxuries are usually earned, not just given. A television makes life more bearable for all concerned. People reel in shock at the incarceration of animals, but somehow think that to imprison and degrade a human being, is acceptable. Not all prisoners are factually guilty and not all prisoners are murderers, sex offenders or even serial killers, but they are all treated with the same contempt by the majority of the public and the so called justice system.
Posted by: AnonymousRidiculous prison myths.
Most prisoners come from low social-economic background. If prison life was as great as some people make it seem, why do all convicts come out of prison in worse psychological conditions and conviction not to return to prison? I would search for and place links to the supported material that lead me to this conclusion but this question/and debate is frankly quite ridiculous.I've probably spent to much time typing this already.
Posted by: Anonymoushumans
We are all humans and that could be you so you should not judge so easily. They ARE being punished but to keep them from society's evolution and technology will not help with their integration afterwards - try sitting in prison for a day and ask yourself the question if they are really having too much comforts?
Posted by: AnonymousIt's not a luxury place, don't be an idiot.
The prisons (at least where I am) do offer cable (14 channels) to inmates. County inmates get one TV per cell and is provided by the jail. Most county cells, mind you, have double their capacity with half sleeping on the floor. State inmates can have their own TV at their bunks but they have to purchase the TV themselves or someone on the outside has to purchase it for them and drop it off. Cable is paid for by the inmates going out and working for surrounding cities. Blacktop, recycling center, putting out road signs, and other things most people complaining on this website wouldn't dream of having to exert the energy for. This labor covers their cable, and affords them a whopping 63 cents per day to order food. A little over $12 a month. Keep in mind that a pack of ramen noodles costs 50¢ to $1 depending on the jail. (Once again where I am.. Not everywhere..). Recreation is required by law, and is a necessary component for day to day function. Not to mention you go to work when told, eat when told, strip searched when told, go to bed when told, and so on. So tell me.. In what world is laying blacktop for 63 cents per day and being able to watch a 13 inch TV while sharing a room and shower with 20+ other people more glamorous than living a free life? If this is true for you.. Then YOU have truly messed up somewhere down the line.. From the sounds of it more so than the inmates living in these luxury resorts you keep speaking of.
Posted by: AnonymousThey are still human
Many prisoners are there for decades or maybe the rest of their lives, most regret the mistakes they have made and should have some luxuries, it is cruel to just have them sit in a room with a bed and a toilet and expect them to stay sane. Entertainment is a part of relaxation which is crucial about physical and mental health. Imagine if that was your family member? No, I've never been to prison, I've never been in legal trouble in my life, not even a parking ticket, but I can be insightful and think about how it must feel to be stuck in a jail cell for such a long time.
Posted by: AnonymousPrisoners attain these royalties on good behavior.
You don't see most prisoners sitting in a room watching television. Most prisoners attain these things on good behavior, and as soon as the behavior is breached, they lose such niceties. Prison isn't a day care, the system understands that.
There is a reward system within most prisons. The good prisoners will have more leeway in the system. The bad prisoners don't get what they want.
But prison isn't a day care system. It's supposed to be a rehabilitation system. If most prisoners are getting access cable, then good for them, they're doing what they're supposed to be doing.Posted by: buttsguttsandcoconutsFreedom is the most precious thing.
If we're taking away their freedom then I believe that it is unnecessary to punish them; prison is about rehabilitation. Prisoners are still human beings with emotion and deserve to be treated as such, they just need to be kept away from society if they are a danger to it. Besides, the entertainment probably keeps them from committing further crime within prison.
Posted by: AnonymousYou cannot make people better people by torturing them
Anyone who thinks prisons in the US are easy has never been to prison. Prison inmates have no rights. They get can get beaten or sexually abused and they have no way out. And if anyone thinks that that makes people better human beings then they do not know what they are talking about. Now if we look at recidivism rates you will find that Scandinavian prisons are in the single digits of percentage. Why? Because they actually try to rehabilitate people.
Posted by: AnonymousDon't talk unless you know what you are talking about!
How many of you that think prisoners have too many comforts have ever visited a prison? You have no idea. Prisoners do not have internet and the "cable" is to allow all prisoners to share a small TV and watch whatever is turned on for them in a common room. They are treated like animals. Kept in their extremely hot (summer)or cold (winter) cells most of the time. The food they are given to eat is nasty. You wouldn't eat it. Animals in a shelter are treated better. Guards tell them what to do every minute of every day and many of the guards love to try to make them angry so they will get in more trouble. Would you still believe in an "eye for an eye" if you or one of your family were incarcerated? It can happen to anyone. Be careful what you say.
Posted by: AnonymousLost Their Rights
Once you get arrested for a crime, and got to prison, you shouldn't have the comforts of home. You gave those up by committing a crime. To say you are entitled...The only thing you are entitled to is a meal, place to sleep, shower. Why should we pay for computers, tv and other luxuries law abiding citizens can't afford.
Posted by: Anonymoushumans
they deserve some rights
Posted by: AnonymousFlorida prison system does NOT have cable, internet or air conditioning.
My son is in prison in Florida. They do not have cable or internet access at all. THey also do not have air conditioning. I would suspect you would not want to trade your bed for his steel shelf with a 2 inch mattress or your food for his any day. He lost 35 pounds in a year because the men are not fed enough.
Posted by: AnonymousEconomic
Cheaper than extra guards. Less risk of riots.
Posted by: GreyparrotNO THEY DO NOT
I dont think they do. They can earn it after a while because some are not all bad, they have just simply made bad choices. Sculmer, what if the person is innocent? You just tortured an innocent man. :| As for the actual prompt, prison is (supposed to be) about rehabilitation, so outright punishment does not seem like an appropriate way to reach such a goal.
Posted by: rawr98Rewards and punishments
If it is used as a reward for good behavior I see no reason why they shouldn't have it. Isn't prison also about rehabilitation as well, and perhaps giving them that small luxury in response to a good work ethic and behavior can be a useful tool to help in that process. Also, how unpleasant do we think prisons should be, where is that line drawn? Perhaps allowing a few hours of TV a day is a good pacifier, which is to the benefit of the security officers there who have to wrangle these prisoners on a daily basis and I'm sure they would much rather have a calm prisoner population for their own safety.
Posted by: AnonymousUm . . .
Sculmer, what if the person is innocent? You just tortured an innocent man. :| As for the actual prompt, prison is (supposed to be) about rehabilitation, so outright punishment does not seem like an appropriate way to reach such a goal.
Posted by: adontimasu