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Video games in jail - it's a question that comes up with increasing frequency.
Opinions on the issue seem to fall into two camps. Some tough-talking politicians and administrators say games are a luxury that don't belong in jails. Others hold that games relax inmates, making jails safer, and help to pass the time.
In the anti-game camp, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt (R) banned all games in his state's correctional facilities last year. At the time, Gov. Blunt said, "Video games are a luxury that inmates should not be allowed to enjoy... Our penitentiaries are punitive institutions where those who have committed crimes against society are sent to pay for their actions. They are not meant to be arcades."
The games-in-prison issue has surfaced again, this time in Florida at the privately-run Hernando County Jail. In April officials at the facility introduced two PlayStation 2 systems along with seven games for use by inmates. The video game systems were in part a reaction by administrators to suicides and other issues which plagued the facility in recent months.
Only prisoners who have earned certain privileges are allowed to use the PS2's. The limited selection of games includes sports and racing titles. As in the Missouri situation, both the PS2 systems and the games were purchased with profits from the inmate commissary, not with tax dollars.
Assistant Warden Russell Washburn believes the games have had a relaxing effect on inmates.
"This is rewarding positive behavior," he told the St. Petersburg Times. "I'd rather them be thinking about race cars than how I'm mad at someone... I don't want it portrayed that all they do is sit around and play PlayStation. I would agree that's not right if that's all you do. But this is just part of the rehabilitation. You can't throw them into a place and not give them anything to do and expect no problems. ... This is not a warehouse."
Not everyone in Florida would agree. The state's Department of Corrections does not permit inmates to have video games, nor do jails in several other Florida counties polled by the Times.
"We try to make sure people know that they're (in jail) for a period of confinement and it's not fun and games," said Maj. Robert Lucas, an administrator with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
"The Florida taxpayers do not want to provide PlayStations to inmates," claimed Department of Corrections spokesperson JoEllyn Rackleff. "There are plenty of taxpayers who can't afford them."
It seems that privately-run prisons may face less political resistance to offering the video game option to prisoners. Corrections Corporation of America (CCA), the company that operates the Hernando County facility, also offers game systems at jails in Colorado and Kentucky.
"It improves the quality of life for the offenders, and it also is a good management tool," said CAA official Steven Owen.
At least one local criminologist supported the use of games in prison.
"I can't see anything wrong with it," said University of South Florida professor William Blount. "To me, it's creative. If they were (gaming) on a computer, that would be even better because computer skills are useful."
GP readers, are video games in jail an outrageous luxury or a peaceful time management tool? Should prisoners be allowed to play games?
Vote on this important issue in our latest GamePolitics poll. If you're getting GP via RSS, you'll need to jump over to our home page. The poll is on the right.
Want to talk about it? You can discuss this story via the "comments" feature (click below), or in the new GamePolitics Forums...
June 28 2006, 12:55:42 UTC 5 years ago
I use them to reward myself for housework, exercise, etc. (Run a mile, play same WOW, go the laundromat, bring your DS) Why can't it work for prisoners?
June 28 2006, 14:16:11 UTC 5 years ago
Well
Yeah if it's used as a "reward" and it keeps them occupied and ease tension, why not? It's not like they're playing GTA is it? O_o5 years ago
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June 28 2006, 14:53:11 UTC 5 years ago
Or The Suffering, so they would know how to survive if the prison were invaded by Hell demons.
June 28 2006, 14:54:58 UTC 5 years ago
I like it...
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June 28 2006, 16:23:12 UTC 5 years ago
I'm voting yes, with limits
I agree that video games can be useful in rehabilitation. As a reward for good behavior, and in limited amounts, I don't see why prisoners can't be allowed a simple form of entertainment. In my mind it's the same as television.I agree with previous posters, though, that M rated games (and even some T ratings) shouldn't be allowed. Yeah, yeah, I know that if we criticize Thompson for believing video games cause bad behavior it would seem hypocritical to deny prisoners violent games. There's a difference there, though. A good person playing violent games understands that they are fiction and not to be recreated in real life. People who already have violent personalities (convicted felons or otherwise) don't need anything to give them ideas. I doubt prisoners have the same inhibitions as normal people in society.
That leads to an interesting thought: how long until a judge adds violent games to a list of no-no's for people on parole or probation? They already ban guns, drugs, and sexual materials for sex offenders. Is there going to be a time when a judge decides that violent media is just as much of a stimulus as drugs/alcohol?
June 28 2006, 19:11:56 UTC 5 years ago
Re: I'm voting yes, with limits
As long as games weren't just singled out, and indeed all violent media (including music!) was ruled out, I'd be for it.Hell, if Thompson included all violent media in his campaign (including football) instead of JUST games, I'd probably find it a little easier to swallow. Still WRONG, but easier to swallow.
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June 28 2006, 16:27:19 UTC 5 years ago
No way.
""We try to make sure people know that they're (in jail) for a period of confinement and it's not fun and games," said Maj. Robert Lucas, an administrator with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office."The Florida taxpayers do not want to provide PlayStations to inmates," claimed Department of Corrections spokesperson JoEllyn Rackleff. "There are plenty of taxpayers who can't afford them.""
It's these two very well spoken that I so closely agree with. If they had used the idiotic "violent games lead to violence" crap, then I would have disagreed along those lines. But those two paragraphs quoted, I agree with wholeheartedly. And it's not just video games either. But then, I seem to recall we've spoken on this some time back as well. I believe I was of the "solitary confinment" mindset for prisoners at that time, and still am.
"It improves the quality of life for the offenders..."
And that comment makes me want to puke. Yes, I know I'm not usually so full of hate. But really, did the offenders do much to improve the quality of life for their victims? Do the offenders getting to play video games (among other entertainments) improve the quality of lives for their victims? No on both accounts. So why do the offenders rate an improved quality of life while their victims don't?
PAH! :: Hocks a grand luggy and spits on the floor. ::
Next thing ya know, some idiot will claim "intimate relations" (self-censorship in an open area, you know what I mean) are as important to inmates (of all genders and orientations) as air and food/water and start passing out "intimate relation tokens" as rewards to pay for... special services from outside dealers, as it were. Ahem. And no, I'm not entirely joking or being sarcastic. Frankly, it wouldn't surprise me if that kind of crap started being argued in favor of being available to inmates.
nightwng2000
June 28 2006, 20:23:21 UTC 5 years ago
No way it's that simple.
If such a measure was provided in Florida, then the taxpayers may not have to pay for it all. The plan could be paid for by inmate commsinary profits just like it was done in Missouri. Also, read ALL of what the Asst. Warden said. The games relieved stress and gave the behaving inmates some positive reinforcment. I don't belive that murders or rapist should be allowed to play, but not all inmates are in for those crimes. For inmates that follow the rules, for those that show a genuine intention of turning their lives around, they should be given some positive reinforcment such as games. Perhaps then some of the inmates will make something of themselves and the absurd redicvism (sp?) rate in this country will go down.5 years ago
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June 28 2006, 17:45:21 UTC 5 years ago
For instance, a burgaler with good behavior should be allowed to play games.
A murderer with good behavior should never be allowed any luthory for the rest of their rotting lives
June 28 2006, 21:40:39 UTC 5 years ago
But most importantly, not all murderers are going to be in prison for the rest of their rotting lives. Some murderes will be in prison for "only" 20 years...or 10...what sort of person they are going to be when they get out is going to depend quite a bit on what we do with them while they are in that prison.
June 28 2006, 17:49:26 UTC 5 years ago
Are they places of punishment? You did something we don't like and so we want to punish you for it. We want our prisons to be unpleasant and we want you to suffer.
Are they places of rehabilitation? You did something we don't like and we want to reform your behavior so that when you leave here you are less likely to do it again. This means that prisons don't have to be unpleasant places, and probably shouldn't be.
Are they places for the protection of society? A place we put people who are a danger to society? If that is what we see prisons as, then people who committed a one-off crime of passion should not be jailed at all since they pose no further danger to society.
What does my musing have to do with the article? Well, the Missouri governor is using the rhetoric of prisons as punishment while the Assistance Warden of the private prison is using the rhetoric of rehabilitation. The governor says no video games because it takes away from the goal of punishing them. The Warden says yes to video games because it aids in rehabilitation and behavioral management.
I don't think a whole number of issues (video games, prison rape, overcrowding, etc) can be solved until we decide what role we want prisons to hold in our society.
June 28 2006, 18:00:53 UTC 5 years ago
There is a certain thirst for punishment, as if being incarcerated and having a criminal record for the rest of one's life is not punishment enough.
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June 28 2006, 18:23:13 UTC 5 years ago
Jail is punishment enough.
Being incarcerated is among one of the most horrific things to have happen to someone. The fact that you're locked away from everything and everyone you might have held dear to you would eat at you every day, worse and worse, to the point you can barely stand it. I think even the chance at being able to escape into a video game for a few hours would be a great motivation for behavior control. Used effectively, I believe the video games could help curb a great deal of angst and violence among the prisoners.June 28 2006, 19:16:11 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Jail is punishment enough.
I think you have a good point... on the other hand, sometimes I think jail isn't horrific enough, as we have repeat offenders.If jail were TRUELY horrific, it would deter all but criminally insane... then again, it would also be "cruel and unusual punishment" and unconstitutional.
And yes, I know, some of the repeats can be attributed to societial influences and stigmas. I've got a completely different penal system designed in my head that I think would work pretty well, but that's a discussion for a different time.
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June 28 2006, 19:26:48 UTC 5 years ago
Well...
I don't think this is as simple as a straight yes-or-no. First off, I think our current jail system is broken (but I won't get into that here), but under what I ould think would be a better system, then NO. Under our current system... mostly yes. I think it would really need to be looked at on a jail-to-jail basis with people who are working daily with the convicts.June 28 2006, 19:40:07 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Well...
oh, you and your well-reasoned, nuanced answers...;-)
June 28 2006, 19:46:23 UTC 5 years ago
~Criminal Reward System~
Anyone that has personally known someone whom has been through the Penitentiary System, has assuredly heard that its no picnic in the park. Everyday of their incarcerated lives, most inmates are more worried with staying out of trouble, from either pissed off guards, or other inmates, to even think straight. The ones that actually do manage to avoid getting into trouble of some sort, {about Half that Do get into trouble, aren't the instigators, but still face punishment} actually deserve some type of R&R. They already have librarys, and television privilages that can be earned through good behavior. As well, professional studies have actually proven that playing video games reduces agressive behavior. {Not talking about getting mad at the game, and tossing a controller across the room - which might be intresting if the controller hits a big guy named 'Bubba'}; games have effectively reduced things like road-rage, workplace hostilities, as well as, in some minor cases {because it has yet to be tested in large studies} criminal urges.Allowing games like Grand Turismo, or the latest Madden/NBA games would provide actual incentives for more inmates to calm down. When they are released, instead of continuing their criminal activities, its a plausible scenario that they might just become common citizens again, using gaming consoles to relieve whatever tension they may build up.
You could go so far as to say something like games Grand Theft Auto could, in theory, reduce their criminal ways even further, by allowing them a legal alternative. But then, you could also argue that with the fact that most theives steal as a means of survival, not as a 'guilty pleasure'.
So, I vote Yes, with hopes that the future might not be so bleak, and criminal infested, and actually a decent place to raise our children.
June 28 2006, 20:12:25 UTC 5 years ago
score
the "normal non-gaming" public might not realize it, but this is a great thing for prisons. think about it, would you rather a prisoner think about the person that put him in jail so that when he gets out he can kill, or to play games.I think one problem is that the public, almost universally believes the prison is something other than either what it is, or was designed to be, a place to remove offenders from the general public for a predetermined amount of time.
I say it because you know there are people that think "well this person killed someone. why should they be allowed to play videogames" but that's just the point. would you rather them play the games and vent their anger or would you rather someone else dies when that anger explodes.
But I wonder, why shouldn't the public pay for the PS2's? they already have to pay for those stupid senators to waste their money with videogame laws and whatnot. I don't see how this is any worse than that.
June 28 2006, 20:58:55 UTC 5 years ago
June 28 2006, 21:10:06 UTC 5 years ago
Let me ask you this... how do you feel about inmates watching TV, reading books, having CD's, having perhaps a movie night, eating ice cream, excercising with weights...
My point is, why are games any different, just something to pass the time.
How did they get to be the boogie man?
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June 28 2006, 21:45:53 UTC 5 years ago
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June 28 2006, 22:35:16 UTC 5 years ago
Rewarded for being a criminal???????
I just don't understand how so many of you think that allowing prisoners the luxury of playing video games is OK.Prison is meant as a form of punishment for committing crimes. It doesn't matter how serious the crime, all video games should be banned from prison, along with TV and any other reward system. The Prison system should be seen as a deterrent, but currently is a complete and utter joke.
What deterrent is there in a system where offenders are treated to things that even some law abiding citizens through no fault of their own are unable to enjoy? There is just no deterrent in the current system and that is why it is failing so badly and will continue to do so until they stop treating prison like a fu**ing holiday camp.
No criminal is ever going to be discouraged by a system that offers rewards and luxury benefits such as this to inmates. Some have it better in prison than they ever would living in the real world and this is where the system fails miserably and the reason why there are currently so many repeat offenders.
It amuses me that we lock up law-breakers on the grounds of protecting the public but in the end the concern is with the welfare of the wrongdoer, not the victim.
Thinking that you can rehabilitate high numbers of prisoners and consequently reduce the number of re-offenders is admirable but totally unrealistic. Let's get real about this, the only way we are going to start to make a difference is by handing out longer sentences, less remission, building more prisons and making life a little less comfortable when the cell-door closes.
If a prison is run properly then they shouldn't need an incentive for inmates to behave. The only incentive needed is one to stop the crimes being committed in the first place.
June 29 2006, 00:05:54 UTC 5 years ago
Re: Rewarded for being a criminal???????
So you think the guy in for tax evasion should get the exact same treatment as the guy in for premediated rape and murder?Prisons have to have some rehabilitative function unless you plan on locking up ever last one for life. Otherwise when their sentence is up, you've got an angry bitter person that only has a better incentive to not get caught next time. And the people in the prison will have nothing to lose, and everything to gain by making trouble inside.
Hell back centuries ago they'd truely torture people for all sorts of reasons, including their crimes, but it's not like that stopped anyone else from commiting the same offenses.
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June 28 2006, 22:57:36 UTC 5 years ago
Prison wardens need to have something more than a club to encourage good behavior, and videogames as a reward are as good as the other things they can already get. And as I recall from the last time the subject came up, wardens were losing a few of their means of rewarding good behavior such as time off a prisoner's sentence (personally I'd rather have someone playing GT3 than getting out of prison a year early as bonus for behaving). The rhetoric about taxpayers paying for it is bunk, as it's already been shown how easy it is to make the prisoners pay for it.
Sure not all games would be appropriate, and sure not all prisoners would be deserving of games, but these are things that would be relatively easy to work out.
June 29 2006, 00:44:38 UTC 5 years ago
If prisons were run the way they ought to be run, then being locked up would be a perfectly awful thing. Recreation would be limited to whatever's in the yard and maybe a prison library, but that's it. However, prisons aren't like that, TVs and such are in there, and so my vote centered on how things are rather than how they should be.
I voted yes. Honestly, some of the choices offered to prisoners in some institutions can be... shall I say "unhealthy"? I think of prisoners watching porn as an example, and the court cases claiming that it's a constitutional right. Really, guys locked in cages getting all hot and bothered doesn't seem like a good idea. I'd rather see them with Playstations and racing games. I'd say a good game of Madden would keep prisoners entertained, and leave them with less sexual frustration at the end of the day.
June 29 2006, 01:04:22 UTC 5 years ago
Maybe set up some DS stations and equip them with Brain Age or Big Brain Academy. Entertaining while educating.
June 29 2006, 03:08:10 UTC 5 years ago
Yes
Initially reading this, I thought "Video games? For PRISONERS? Hell no."But reading what Russell Washburn said puts it in perspective. Prison guards and wardens have one of the most dangerous jobs, especially those working in Maximum security prisons, where the offenders are violent and have almost nothing to lose. Prisons should (and do) work on a carrot-and-stick system - if you continue to be violent and show no desire to reform your criminal/violent ways, you get the stick (lock-up, longer prison time). If you actually do show signs of changing and becoming a productive member of society you get the carrot (the aforementioned video games, shorter prison time for good behavior).
That said, if a prisoner has good behavior, it doesn't mean that they should have a PS2 and a TV in their cells playing Madden all day. It means they should get it for a couple of hours a month. Prison is still prison - but actually rewarding those who are repentant and want to change and punishing those who don't is not only good for the people who work closest to the criminals, but to society as a whole.
June 29 2006, 04:09:55 UTC 5 years ago
I'd rather have them lifting a controller 12 hours a day....
Than lifting weights 12 hours a day and coming out bigger and stronger than when they went in, heh.June 29 2006, 04:36:16 UTC 5 years ago
June 29 2006, 15:40:18 UTC 5 years ago
It may sound mean... but....
I think Maj. Robert Lucas is right. It pisses me off that I got to pay taxes to keep some of these people alive (rapist and murderes mostly), it would be the ultimate insult to pay for them to play games as well.June 29 2006, 16:33:24 UTC 5 years ago
Goddamn.
Would it kill you people to read the whole article? If you did, you would have found out that the game systems and the games for these prisons were paid for by profits from the inmate comminssary, not by tax dollars.Sorry to snap, I'm just getting irritated by people who keep saying that the games are wasting tax dollars, when they are not even using tax dollars.
July 1 2006, 04:27:25 UTC 5 years ago
July 5 2006, 09:03:32 UTC 5 years ago
It might be a nice distraction from the rampant prison rape, slave trade, and guard beatings.
But like everything in a prison, it's about privelege. Naughty boys don't get to play games.