Books: luxury or necessity?

Muise...

New prison rules in England and Wales mean that prisoners cannot receive parcels in case they contain drugs. This means they can't get books or magazines from friends outside, and have to use the prison library or earn enough to buy their own books.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26726864

I can't imagine not reading. I'm rubbish at comics; my eye goes straight for the text and the pictures distract me. The reason I love the internet so much is that it is a giant, superfast reference library - the sort I could never have imagined when I was a nerd-culchie child dependent on the county mobile library every second Tuesday at the crossroads (not kidding!). Being able to look things up is, IMO, a survival skill of the hunting and foraging kind.

As well as being full of entertainment and education, books are a private medium. That's what makes me really sad to read about these new UK prison rules - I'd say a book of their own is the only escape into personal space the prisoners have (pun intended) and as such, a part of their rehabilitation.

And I don't care if they're all mean nasty ugly mother-rapers and father-stabbers who should be hanged from a rope made out of tabloids, I think everyone should have access to books from friends and teachers.



What do you think?

Talib Fiasco

But they all have Kindles?

The Backwards Man

Give them all tablets.

bumper234

Muise... wrote: »

New prison rules in England and Wales mean that prisoners cannot receive parcels in case they contain drugs. This means they can't get books or magazines from friends outside, and have to use the prison library or earn enough to buy their own books.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26726864

I can't imagine not reading. I'm rubbish at comics; my eye goes straight for the text and the pictures distract me. The reason I love the internet so much is that it is a giant, superfast reference library - the sort I could never have imagined when I was a nerd-culchie child dependent on the county mobile library every second Tuesday at the crossroads (not kidding!). Being able to look things up is, IMO, a survival skill of the hunting and foraging kind.

As well as being full of entertainment and education, books are a private medium. That's what makes me really sad to read about these new UK prison rules - I'd say a book of their own is the only escape into personal space the prisoners have (pun intended) and as such, a part of their rehabilitation.

And I don't care if they're all mean nasty ugly mother-rapers and father-stabbers who should be hanged from a rope made out of tabloids, I think everyone should have access to books from friends and teachers.



What do you think?

They shouldn't have broken the law ergo they shouldn't (imo) have any luxuries! There is a prison library and ok they may not have the latest and greatest books available but it boils back down to they shouldn't have broken the law!

shopaholic01

Talib Fiasco wrote: »

But they all have Kindles?

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Give them all tablets.

You don't get the new book smell then, that's part of the enjoyment.

Muise...

bumper234 wrote: »

They shouldn't have broken the law ergo they shouldn't (imo) have any luxuries! There is a prison library and ok they may not have the latest and greatest books available but it boils back down to they shouldn't have broken the law!

You don't think books can help their rehabilitation?

Legs.Eleven

I wonder how decent are the prison libraries though. Maybe they can get anything they want from there? I know you can order any book you want from public libraries in Ireland as far as I know, so maybe it's the same for prison libraries?


I love reading and I love books and would genuinely lose my mind without them and I agree that access to them should be a basic entitlement. I trained as a librarian for a year and a half with the intention of doing the master's in UCD in Library and Info studies and hoped to work in public libraries after because I believe it's one of the greatest public services we have and a mark of a civilised society. Hopefully prison libraries are decent.

bumper234

Muise... wrote: »

You don't think books can help their rehabilitation?

Sure and they should be able to read as many books as they like from the library. If it is a book for a course they are doing as part of rehab then let them give the money to someone in the prison who can buy it for them but if there is a history of books being used to smuggle in drugs or other narcotics then they should be banned.

SEPT 23 1989

Prisons are an industry now,they want them back in as soon as possible

Reading a book could change their lives

no profit in that

Sulla Felix

Can they not just check the books for drugs? Mad, I know.

wazky

The Backwards Man wrote: »

Give them all tablets.

Id say a few of them are in there due to possession of tablets.

Toby Take a Bow

Personally, books would be more a necessity than a luxury for myself. But I think that's even more the case with prisoners. Reading not only helps to educate but (particularly fiction) can help people to empathise with others. Rehabilition is so essential, unless you want them getting out in ten years and committing the same (or worse) crimes.

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

I wonder how decent are the prison libraries though. Maybe they can get anything they want from there? I know you can order any book you want from public libraries in Ireland as far as I know, so maybe it's the same for prison libraries?

Not sure how it works over in England, but the head of the Quick Reads Books (kind of short books for people learning to read or have difficulty reading) is saying that there are serious issues with funding for prison libraries, and they are worried that they will be the first to go if more cuts are on the way.

Collie D

Muise... wrote: »

You don't think books can help their rehabilitation?

Nice sentiment, OP and as an avid reader I agree. Books aren't a luxury. Might be wasted on a lot of prisoners but I am sure even one per cent that could use reading as a form of rehabilitation would make making books available worthwhile.

Then again if schools have to go without funding for libraries then I suppose prisons should be behind them in the queue

The Backwards Man

shopaholic01 wrote: »

You don't get the new book smell then, that's part of the enjoyment.

I used to think that, but I have a house coming down with books now and now one wants them any more, they just collect dust. I have a wee thing 7 inches long in my hand that has more in its hard drive than the Thomas Jefferson and the George Pompidou put together.

The way of the future folks.

Muise...

bumper234 wrote: »

Sure and they should be able to read as many books as they like from the library. If it is a book for a course they are doing as part of rehab then let them give the money to someone in the prison who can buy it for them but if there is a history of books being used to smuggle in drugs or other narcotics then they should be banned.

I've just bought a book for a friend for his birthday, and I've written an inscription on the title page. I chose the book because it's about things he is interested in and it reminds me of conversations we've had. So (hopefully) when it lands on his doormat it will contain all of that as well as type on white paper. Maybe that's what you and I don't agree on - the bonus properties of books from outside?

hairyprincess

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I used to think that, but I have a house coming down with books now and now one wants them any more, they just collect dust. I have a wee thing 7 inches long in my hand that has more in its hard drive than the Thomas Jefferson and the George Pompidou put together.

The way of the future folks.

I love having a wee 7 inch long thing in my hand

Collie D

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I used to think that, but I have a house coming down with books now and now one wants them any more, they just collect dust. I have a wee thing 7 inches long in my hand that has more in its hard drive than the Thomas Jefferson and the George Pompidou put together.

The way of the future folks.

Would love my own library. Have read a couple of books on Kindle and it is a fantastic invention but I still prefer a nice paper book. After years of reading and giving books away when finished I have recently bought a couple of book cases and plan to start keeping everything I buy.

As an aside, if they are getting in the way would you consider donating to charity shops, schools, libraries or even prisons?

Polymorpheus

While relishing the smell of a brand new book is possibly a luxury, I don't think books in general are.

Popescu

bumper234 wrote: »

They shouldn't have broken the law ergo they shouldn't (imo) have any luxuries! There is a prison library and ok they may not have the latest and greatest books available but it boils back down to they shouldn't have broken the law!

I hope you never get caught for a crime.

Books are a necessity in prison and recognized by the Geneva Convention for the treatment of prisoners of war required that prisoners be allowed to receive parcels which contained books.

Muise...

Popescu wrote: »

I hope you never get caught for a crime.

Books are a necessity in prison and recognized by the Geneva Convention for the treatment of prisoners of war required that prisoners be allowed to receive parcels which contained books.

Prisoners of war are not criminals.

Fox_In_Socks

Ban all printed books from prison.

Bring in blank books and non-stab pens.

Get the prisoners to use their magical imaginations in dreaming up new wonderous universes and stories limited not by what is, but what can be.

Every day can be a Dead Poet's Society Day. In fact, I would have at least one prisoner standing up on a table at all times, just to reinforce this theme. Even meal times and toilet break.

And I'd put Robin Williams in prison. Cause he isn't that funny.

GalwayGuy2

Interesting question that has no real answer:)

The pros of keeping books is that it gives prisoners something to do. Perhaps calms prisoners down. And perhaps give them skills to get on in life.

The cons are that A) What are these people's literacy levels? Perhaps audio books are a better option?

Some content can create problems. I remember a Martina Cole book being banned from prison in case it acted as a trigger or as an aid.

C) You an learn a lot of suprising things from books. Where someone's liver is, their lungs are, how to drive someone insane, so on so forth.

TL;DR:

Dunno

Too Tough To Die

I read Trainspotting. Lots of drugs in that.

Muise...

GalwayGuy2 wrote: »

Interesting question that has no real answer:)

The pros of keeping books is that it gives prisoners something to do. Perhaps calms prisoners down. And perhaps give them skills to get on in life.

The cons are that A) What are these people's literacy levels? Perhaps audio books are a better option?

Some content can create problems. I remember a Martina Cole book being banned from prison in case it acted as a trigger or as an aid.

C) You an learn a lot of suprising things from books. Where someone's liver is, their lungs are, how to drive someone insane, so on so forth.

TL;DR:

Dunno

A) If a prisoner is illiterate, what better time to teach him/her to read than during the sentence?

Tell me more.

C) And about other people's perspectives and feelings (particularly in narrative fiction) so empathy can be encouraged.

Toby Take a Bow

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I used to think that, but I have a house coming down with books now and now one wants them any more, they just collect dust. I have a wee thing 7 inches long in my hand that has more in its hard drive than the Thomas Jefferson and the George Pompidou put together.

The way of the future folks.

Not so sure about them (necessarily) being the way of the future. Figures for ebook sales over the last few years have been skewed (some would say deliberately) by Amazon. While there has been undeniable growth, this would be expected in a new market which is starting from scratch and a lot of reports are suggesting a leveling out over the next few years as the market reaches saturation point. And paper books, after a few years of decline (perhaps understandable given the worldwide recession) have seen a recent (slight) increase.

But regardless of this, I don't understand the either/or option. Why not use both? Paper books for when they are cheaper (which they often are because of bizarre publishing prices and the ability to actually buy things second hand), if you want a more durable copy, and if you are reading something like an art or cookery book, which paper is better at displaying and ereaders for when you're travelling, reading something you have no intention of reading again, and for those instances when the electronic copy is actually cheaper (classics are an example of this: publishers have been ripping us off for years on this).

GalwayGuy2 wrote: »

Interesting question that has no real answer:)

The pros of keeping books is that it gives prisoners something to do. Perhaps calms prisoners down. And perhaps give them skills to get on in life.

The cons are that A) What are these people's literacy levels? Perhaps audio books are a better option?

Some content can create problems. I remember a Martina Cole book being banned from prison in case it acted as a trigger or as an aid.

C) You an learn a lot of suprising things from books. Where someone's liver is, their lungs are, how to drive someone insane, so on so forth.

TL;DR:

Dunno

Regarding your cons: reading books can help improve people's literacy levels. The Quick Reads are a good example of this. They have adult subject matter and introduce some difficult words that those who have difficulty reading will have to look up. And I would be surprised if a prisoner wasn't at least somewhat aware of where the liver was and how to drive someone insane.

CK73

Muise... wrote: »

You don't think books can help their rehabilitation?

I believe that prisoners are put through rehabilitation and if books are required as part of that, then I'm sure they would be provided with the relevant books.

I don't believe that they should have instant access to any book they fancy and I think it is a good thing that they can work towards acquiring the books that they want, as they will experience what it is like to be deprived of something, which no doubt someone else was when they managed to get themselves in there in the first place.

So, if books are a passion, then instead of bargaining for cigarettes or any other thing that might be on offer for a price, they may look towards a book instead, or... they may not.

I think it would be wrong to assume that people in prison value the same things your average person does, although I appreciate some people may be in there when they shouldn't be, but if books do matter, then maybe they will think twice before doing something to land back in there again.

As much as I enjoy reading a good book, and I think prisoners should have access to books, I think there's a certain pretentiousness surrounding book reading that's adding a sensationalist slant to this.

Perfect example from the article:

We give children books because they are unequivocally good things which make them better people.

We give children books so that they can learn to read, be entertained, and exercise their imagination/perspective. Reading a book does NOT make you a better person. Sure you can read a book about anything, from ethics to necrophilia-based erotica. But people love to get up in arms about how much they luuuurve books because it gives them an excuse to go around professing their interest in them like it makes them some sort of automatic intellectual, and like being an intellectual makes you a better person than someone else.

If the prisoners were being denied books as a punishment, i.e. just to torment them with boredom, I would say that it's unfair, or even cruel. But they're not being denied books. They have access to a library. They have the facility to buy books. They're only being refused permission to accept books in parcels from outside. I think there would be far less outrage if they were being forced to only watch videos from a prison video library/their own funds or if they had to spend money to get access to internet sources. I mean, the prisoners have to spend money to get phone calls, what's so wrong with them having to buy a book if it's not in the library?

GalwayGuy2

Yeah, I'm tired so my examples are bad. :P

Meh, I'm for libraries in prisons.

Muise...

true-or-false wrote: »

As much as I enjoy reading a good book, and I think prisoners should have access to books, I think there's a certain pretentiousness surrounding book reading that's adding a sensationalist slant to this.

Perfect example from the article:


We give children books so that they can learn to read, be entertained, and exercise their imagination/perspective. Reading a book does NOT make you a better person. Sure you can read a book about anything, from ethics to necrophilia-based erotica. But people love to get up in arms about how much they luuuurve books because it gives them an excuse to go around professing their interest in them like it makes them some sort of automatic intellectual, and like being an intellectual makes you a better person than someone else.

If the prisoners were being denied books as a punishment, i.e. just to torment them with boredom, I would say that it's unfair, or even cruel. But they're not being denied books. They have access to a library. They have the facility to buy books. They're only being refused permission to accept books in parcels from outside. I think there would be far less outrage if they were being forced to only watch videos from a prison video library/their own funds or if they had to spend money to get access to internet sources. I mean, the prisoners have to spend money to get phone calls, what's so wrong with them having to buy a book if it's not in the library?

I'd say giving someone the opportunity to stop being bored, boring and ignorant is kinda helping them to be a better person.

Yeah, we luuuuurve books so much because they make us so much better than everyone else so we don't want anyone else to have them in case they join our secret exclusive intellectual club. Oh, wait...

I think I was clear in my OP about the specific details of this rule. I certainly tried to be clear, so we could have an informed discussion without outrage and sneering.

CK73

Muise... wrote: »

I'd say giving someone the opportunity to stop being bored, boring and ignorant is kinda helping them to be a better person.

Yeah, we luuuuurve books so much because they make us so much better than everyone else so we don't want anyone else to have them in case they join our secret exclusive intellectual club. Oh, wait...

I think I was clear in my OP about the specific details of this rule. I certainly tried to be clear, so we could have an informed discussion without outrage and sneering.

If the statistics given are correct, which is debatable in itself these days, it would be fair to say that the majority of criminals in prison are of below average intelligence, so the books provided should be of benefit, what ever they are. There are some great stories in the bible and I'm sure they would have access to one of those.

Earthhorse

Much as I sympathise, ultimately I have to say I don't think it's a right they have and by the sounds of things it was a privilege they were abusing and has now been removed. That's a shame for those of them who weren't but I'm sure this ruling didn't come about for no reason.

You would think they would be able to quickly flick through a book for contraband but perhaps resources are already over stretched. A shame, I feel, it's come to this but perhaps it won't make much of a difference in their reading habits but will prevent them smuggling illicit material into the prison.

Bafucin

Muise... wrote: »

New prison rules in England and Wales mean that prisoners cannot receive parcels in case they contain drugs. This means they can't get books or magazines from friends outside, and have to use the prison library or earn enough to buy their own books.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26726864

I can't imagine not reading. I'm rubbish at comics; my eye goes straight for the text and the pictures distract me. The reason I love the internet so much is that it is a giant, superfast reference library - the sort I could never have imagined when I was a nerd-culchie child dependent on the county mobile library every second Tuesday at the crossroads (not kidding!). Being able to look things up is, IMO, a survival skill of the hunting and foraging kind.

As well as being full of entertainment and education, books are a private medium. That's what makes me really sad to read about these new UK prison rules - I'd say a book of their own is the only escape into personal space the prisoners have (pun intended) and as such, a part of their rehabilitation.

And I don't care if they're all mean nasty ugly mother-rapers and father-stabbers who should be hanged from a rope made out of tabloids, I think everyone should have access to books from friends and teachers.



What do you think?

There would be a prison library no doubt. There is in mountjoy.

http://www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/libraries/Library%20Services/Pages/prison_library_service.aspx

There is also a prison shop. It is a non issue and if inmates genuinely want reading material they will be able to get it.

The Dublin prison library service runs 8 libraries you can get exactly the same materials as you would in a public service including music DVDs and newspapers etc.

This is really about prisons trying to make sure criminals don't get drugs. Few prisoners ask for books in parcels from family.

Muise...

Bafucin wrote: »

There would be a prison library no doubt. There is in mountjoy.

http://www.dublincity.ie/RecreationandCulture/libraries/Library%20Services/Pages/prison_library_service.aspx

There is also a prison shop. It is a non issue and if inmates genuinely want reading material they will be able to get it.

The Dublin prison library service runs 8 libraries you can get exactly the same materials as you would in a public service including music DVDs and newspapers etc.

This is really about prisons trying to make sure criminals don't get drugs. Few prisoners ask for books in parcels from family.

Yes, there is a prison library. It's right there in the bit you quoted.

20Cent

Inhumane and very stupid policy.

vitani

Collie D wrote: »

Would love my own library. Have read a couple of books on Kindle and it is a fantastic invention but I still prefer a nice paper book. After years of reading and giving books away when finished I have recently bought a couple of book cases and plan to start keeping everything I buy.

As an aside, if they are getting in the way would you consider donating to charity shops, schools, libraries or even prisons?

If I can afford it, when I eventually buy a house I'm going to buy one with an extra bedroom and turn that into my library.

I have a Kindle & a Sony ereader and they're great for buying books instantly, especially for books that aren't available in the nearest bookshop. But I find that I mainly use them for throwaway fiction that I'm just reading to pass the time. The books that I love and the ones I want to keep are the ones I buy as a printed book. It's rare that I give away any of the books I've bought.

johnnyskeleton

Legs.Eleven wrote: »

I wonder how decent are the prison libraries though. Maybe they can get anything they want from there? I know you can order any book you want from public libraries in Ireland as far as I know, so maybe it's the same for prison libraries?

The only books you can't get in an Irish prison are law books

Muise...

Muise... wrote: »

I'd say giving someone the opportunity to stop being bored, boring and ignorant is kinda helping them to be a better person.

Yeah, we luuuuurve books so much because they make us so much better than everyone else so we don't want anyone else to have them in case they join our secret exclusive intellectual club. Oh, wait...

I think I was clear in my OP about the specific details of this rule. I certainly tried to be clear, so we could have an informed discussion without outrage and sneering.

To be honest I'm not sure what you're getting at, but I wasn't sneering if that's what you're trying to say.

All I was saying is that I don't see the issue with stopping parcels with books in them when there are other ways for prisoners to easily procure books, and that I think the controversy arising here could very well be at least partially fueled by the way society often links book reading to other qualities in a person (which is incidentally something which I believe to be pretty unfair, and often pretentious).

Muise...

true-or-false wrote: »

To be honest I'm not sure what you're getting at, but I wasn't sneering if that's what you're trying to say.

All I was saying is that I don't see the issue with stopping parcels with books in them when there are other ways for prisoners to easily procure books, and that I think the controversy arising here could very well be at least partially fueled by the way society often links book reading to other qualities in a person (which is incidentally something which I believe to be pretty unfair, and often pretentious).

Well, I went and started a thread with a post saying how much I love books, so yeah, I did take that personally.

vitani wrote: »

If I can afford it, when I eventually buy a house I'm going to buy one with an extra bedroom and turn that into my library.

I have a Kindle & a Sony ereader and they're great for buying books instantly, especially for books that aren't available in the nearest bookshop. But I find that I mainly use them for throwaway fiction that I'm just reading to pass the time. The books that I love and the ones I want to keep are the ones I buy as a printed book. It's rare that I give away any of the books I've bought.

I used to use the library to road-test books, and if I liked them enough I'd buy a copy. Sort of an analog version of music-sharing sites and iTunes.
Now I sit at the top of the stairs in a bookshop - nobody goes up to the poetry section so I have all day to scan and decide.

Toby Take a Bow

true-or-false wrote: »

I think the controversy arising here could very well be at least partially fueled by the way society often links book reading to other qualities in a person (which is incidentally something which I believe to be pretty unfair, and often pretentious).

I think book reading is clearly linked to other qualities in a person, but I think you're taking offence at the 'better' tag that people apply to it. Of course there is a lot of literature out there which would do little to further someone's intellect, but there is also a lot of literature that can help someone's intellect in some way. There are also studies which suggest that reading fiction can help increase empathy for other people (having empathy makes you a better person, right?)

Stheno

Books and the odd movie are my great escape, I read an average of six books a week.

Were I to be imprisoned and not have access to books, I would truly feel punished, I literally cannot imagine not having a book to read, or looking forward to the next one I have.

Clandestine

Its a violation of the prisoners rights... i don't agree with the way prisons are run. they should take a page out of Norway's book.

Muise...

Muise... wrote: »

Well, I went and started a thread with a post saying how much I love books, so yeah, I did take that personally.

I love books too. Everything I said, I was applying as a generalisation, so I fall under it too. Everyone's human, and everyone has biases. If I find myself falling into a long conversation about books with someone, I'm far more impressed with them than if we'd been talking about our favourite TV shows. I feel a strange sense of respect/jealousy when I walk into someone's home and they have walls filled with shelves of books they've clearly read. I accidentally judge people slightly more positively when I find that they're an avid book reader, and often I judge them as intelligent too. A large majority of people are guilty of these biases, to the point that I'd claim it's a societal bias and not just one of my own.

There's nothing wrong with having a bias, I certainly didn't mean offence by trying to remind posters that it could well be (and in my opinion is) a large factor in how people are reacting to this.

Guy:Incognito

20Cent wrote: »

Inhumane and very stupid policy.

Whats inhumane about it?

Clandestine wrote: »

Its a violation of the prisoners rights... i don't agree with the way prisons are run. they should take a page out of Norway's book.

Being sent books in prison from friends and relatives is a right?

Muise...

true-or-false wrote: »

I love books too. Everything I said, I was applying as a generalisation, so I fall under it too. Everyone's human, and everyone has biases. If I find myself falling into a long conversation about books with someone, I'm far more impressed with them than if we'd been talking about our favourite TV shows. I feel a strange sense of respect/jealousy when I walk into someone's home and they have walls filled with shelves of books they've clearly read. I accidentally judge people slightly more positively when I find that they're an avid book reader, and often I judge them as intelligent too. A large majority of people are guilty of these biases, to the point that I'd claim it's a societal bias and not just one of my own.

There's nothing wrong with having a bias, I certainly didn't mean offence by trying to remind posters that it could well be (and in my opinion is) a large factor in how people are reacting to this.

I don't consider people intelligent or not based on what books they have - I just want everyone to have access to literacy and literature. Then we can get on with the real judgement of what books they are reading. My snobbery is much more sophisticated than yours. :P

Stheno

The Backwards Man wrote: »

I used to think that, but I have a house coming down with books now and now one wants them any more, they just collect dust. I have a wee thing 7 inches long in my hand that has more in its hard drive than the Thomas Jefferson and the George Pompidou put together.

The way of the future folks.

adverts.ie free ads

I have ridden myself of over 800 books with no hassle through it

Toby Take a Bow

Toby Take a Bow wrote: »

I think book reading is clearly linked to other qualities in a person, but I think you're taking offence at the 'better' tag that people apply to it. Of course there is a lot of literature out there which would do little to further someone's intellect, but there is also a lot of literature that can help someone's intellect in some way. There are also studies which suggest that reading fiction can help increase empathy for other people (having empathy makes you a better person, right?)

You're right about a lot of things there.

Book reading can be linked to other things, but that doesn't mean it causes those other things. And yes, I am taking offence at the 'better' tag applied to it - why shouldn't I? I had my head stuck in books all through my childhood, while neither of my parents have ever read outside of required reading at school (which they both finished aged 16; now they're in their 60s). Does that mean I'm a better person than my parents? What about my friends that read, does the content of the reading material affect how much of a better person it makes you? So maybe I'm a better person than my friends when I read one thing, but they're better than me when I'm reading something else.

Obviously I'm goading you a bit there, but I'm just trying to say that picking out one hobby, listing a benefit of it and saying it can produce 'better people' is a careless, insensitive and inaccurate thing to do. There is such a thing as self-improvement, but when you say 'better people' it implies a whole lot more than just having done something productive for yourself.

Earthhorse

Much of the prison population have drug addiction problems; reducing their access to drugs is probably doing them a damn sight more than reading ever will.

bumper234

Popescu wrote: »

I hope you never get caught for a crime.

Books are a necessity in prison and recognized by the Geneva Convention for the treatment of prisoners of war required that prisoners be allowed to receive parcels which contained books.

And if said prisoner decides they want to do an online course they should be given ipads/pc's? It's prison cor god sake if you break the law and end up in prison you should get minimal luxuries!

Muise...

Earthhorse wrote: »

Much of the prison population have drug addiction problems; reducing their access to drugs is probably doing them a damn sight more than reading ever will.

You could combine the two by checking parcels. I'd volunteer to check parcels if it meant prisoners could get gifts of books. Blaming the economy is just an excuse for being unnecessarily mean - as Sandi Toksvig said, "they really put the 'n' into 'cuts'."

tomwaterford

bumper234 wrote: »

And if said prisoner decides they want to do an online course they should be given ipads/pc's? It's prison cor god sake if you break the law and end up in prison you should get minimal luxuries!

yes....if its necessary for them to do the course

I cant see how educating anyone can be viewed as negative...what would you have them do...sit around all beating lumps out of each other

Popescu

Muise... wrote: »

Prisoners of war are not criminals.

They were prisoners and many were classed at Nürnberg as criminals and members of a criminal organization (SS).