Tennis at Mountjoy

D1stant

Unbelievable. Indoor Tennis? Playstations?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/taxpayers-fund-70k-in-sports-gear-for-inmates-30297828.html

I know there is an argument between the educate & pamper prisoners and they will not recommit versus chain gangs & make them regret the crime. The right balance is probably somewhere in the middle, but spending tax on these luxuries cant be justified.

Why cant we bring down the cost of housing an inmate. 65k per year is crazy

Turtyturd

D1stant wrote: »

Unbelievable. Indoor Tennis? Playstations?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/taxpayers-fund-70k-in-sports-gear-for-inmates-30297828.html

I know there is an argument between the educate & pamper prisioners and they will not recommit versus chain gangs & make them regret the crime. The right balance is probably somewhere in the mddle, but spending tax on these luxuries cant be justified.

Why cant we bring down the cost of housing an inmate. 65k per year is crazy

Don't forget the free track suits and Air Max.

YFlyer

Heard stories of tennis balls been thrown back over the fence and wall at the jail in Limerick. Must been playing tennis there for years.

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller

Shouldn't be allowed.

Only a matter of time before one of the prisoners takes advantage.

Reformed Character

D1stant wrote: »

Unbelievable. Indoor Tennis? Playstations?



I know there is an argument between the educate & pamper prisioners and they will not recommit versus chain gangs & make them regret the crime. The right balance is probably somewhere in the mddle, but spending tax on these luxuries cant be justified.

Why cant we bring down the cost of housing an inmate. 65k per year is crazy

Gym equipment, big deal.
Prisoners pay for their own PlayStations, usually they are gifts from family members.

Valetta

D1stant wrote: »

Unbelievable. Indoor Tennis? Playstations?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/taxpayers-fund-70k-in-sports-gear-for-inmates-30297828.html

I know there is an argument between the educate & pamper prisioners and they will not recommit versus chain gangs & make them regret the crime. The right balance is probably somewhere in the mddle, but spending tax on these luxuries cant be justified.

Why cant we bring down the cost of housing an inmate. 65k per year is crazy

We are bringing down the cost.

http://www.iprt.ie/prison-facts-2

4. The average cost of imprisonment per prisoner was €65,404 in 2012, not including education spend; it was €65,359in 2011; €70,513 in 2010; €77,222 in 2009.

Lenin Skynard

Sky tv Joe.

Maximus Alexander

If they're not allowed to keep physically fit and healthy or have access to any entertainment then we might as well just replace all custodial sentences with the death penalty. 'Twould be more humane.

Sir Arthur Daley

D1stant wrote: »

Why cant we bring down the cost of housing an inmate. 65k per year is crazy

Cut out the luxuries, plain bread and water would be too good for them. Bad straw would do fine as a bed for them too and turn off the heating and let rats keep them warm. It was good enough in the olden days and will do now too.

YFlyer

Wishiwasa Littlebitaller wrote: »

Shouldn't be allowed.

Only a matter of time before one of the prisoners takes advantage.

game, set and match/thread

D1stant

Sir Arthur Daley wrote: »

Cut out the luxuries, plain bread and water would be too good for them. Bad straw would do fine as a bed for them too and turn off the heating and let rats keep them warm. It was good enough in the olden days and will do now too.

The state reckons you can get by with 10K a year on SW. So why does a prisoner cost 65k. Its a pretty legitimate question I think

Sir Arthur Daley

D1stant wrote: »

The state reckons you can get by with 10K a year on SW. So why does a prisoner cost 65k. Its a pretty legitimate question I think

I gave you a legitimate answer.

Maximus Alexander

D1stant wrote: »

The state reckons you can get by with 10K a year on SW. So why does a prisoner cost 65k. Its a pretty legitimate question I think

We don't generally hire staff to clothe, feed and guard people on social welfare.

65k may be excessive, and I'm sure there are plenty of inefficiencies, but it's never going to be as cheap as social welfare.

Steppenwolfe

I don't have a problem with it. If we are going to lock people in cages we should at least give them some excersise and recreational outlets occasionly.

On a side note: Do we have to have a thread every time that rag prints one of these reactionary non storys? It's a vile propaganda rag and should not be taken seriously.

Soft Falling Rain

Look at it this way; the less distractions they have, the more likely they're going to find alternative, more sinister ways to kill the time.

I couldn't really give a rats ass about them having playstations, indoor tennis and a gym. It doesn't necessarily mean they're getting "pampered", rather a means of ensuring some sort of peace.

Turtyturd

D1stant wrote: »

The state reckons you can get by with 10K a year on SW. So why does a prisoner cost 65k. Its a pretty legitimate question I think

How many prison officers/psychologists/Probation Officers do you employment with you SW money?

Pat Mustard

D1stant wrote: »

The right balance is probably somewhere in the middle, but spending tax on these luxuries cant be justified.

Why cant we bring down the cost of housing an inmate. 65k per year is crazy

The major cost of keeping prisoners is the salaries and overtime of the officers in the Prison Service. The cost of tennis courts and sports facilities is just a red herring.

ArmaniJeanss

D1stant wrote: »

The state reckons you can get by with 10K a year on SW. So why does a prisoner cost 65k. Its a pretty legitimate question I think

I assume the €65K figure is the entire cost of the prison service divided by the number of prisoners, its not as if each prisoner consumes €65K of food and other resources each year.

The €65K figure doubtless includes wages, admin costs, the computer systems, insurance, cost of maintenance of the Victorian buildings, the transport fleet, staff medical care, human resources, recruitment costs, ongoing staff training etc.

Holsten

Who cares? Non story.

Loss of liberty is the punishment nothing more.

Better they play tennis than do other things. They've got to have something to do to pass the time.

Alf. A. Male

The prison service needs to do something to allow them burn off energy. Better they play tennis than make a racket.

kippy

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

If they're not allowed to keep physically fit and healthy or have access to any entertainment then we might as well just replace all custodial sentences with the death penalty. 'Twould be more humane.

I had an attempted break in a couple of weekends ago. Myself, my wife and our two young kids were in the house. The guy attempted to break the lock on the front door (which I heard), then went round the back and tried get in the sliding door. We heard him and scared him off. Luckily enough we hear him before he managed to get into the house.
My wife and I were well shook and have since upped security a bit. Thankfully he didnt get into the house.
He had also attempted the same thing on a another house in the esate, he didnt manage to get in but no one in the house heard him trying anything.
Another house a few estates down, wasn't so lucky - he got in took a few bits and pieces and went on his merry way.
Did he give two fcks about my family? No way. Had he gotten into the house who knows what would have gone down.

To be fair to AGS, they caught the guy and were on the ball getting to our house etc. I will be following up to see what the guys background is and what ultimately happens him.

That fcker had no fear about attempting to rob three different houses for what I would guess would be a severely limited amount of loot. Obviously the risk of getting caught for such a small amount of money doesnt scare the guy at all as he knows the penalty (jail time) is a walk in the park.
While at the same time he's scarred the ****e outta at least 3 families who are now probably more security conscious than they should be.

The point of this story?
This country has one of the best welfare systems in the world. There's absolute NO excuse for some prick to need more money unless they are supporting an expensive habit (Usually drugs).
If these guys aren't afraid of what awaits them if they get caught they'll keep at it and pass on the "skills" to others.

Its time to lose a bit of the politicilly correct BS that's permeated in this and other countries over the years and enact more stringent sentencing and/or education programmes for these types of criminal.
They don't give a fcuk about you - just remember that.




Time to get tough.

Maphisto

D1stant wrote: »

The state reckons you can get by with 10K a year on SW. So why does a prisoner cost 65k. Its a pretty legitimate question I think

I think its the same in most places (I'm sure it is in UK).

It always struck me that the state would be better off, if it just gave them €45K pa to behave themselves

Akrasia

We need to get past the idea that prisons are there to punish criminals, and move towards the idea that prisons are there to keep society safe from crime.

Prisons should not be holiday resorts because they are supposed to be a deterrent, but neither should they be places to get revenge on those who have caused harm to society. If someone is in jail on a long term sentence the focus should be on preparing him/her for release so that he/she won't be a further drain on society. If someone is in jail and never to be released, the focus should be on providing for their needs to allow them to serve the time peacefully.

Whatever crimes the person has committed, society ought to treat prisoners with compassion because we choose to be a compassionate society, not a vindictive one.

Akrasia

Maphisto wrote: »

I think its the same in most places (I'm sure it is in UK).

It always struck me that the state would be better off, if it just gave them €45K pa to behave themselves

The state would be much better off it spent more money on early intervention services to deal with problem children who are displaying problem behaviour from a young age.

Maximus Alexander

kippy wrote: »

Time to get tough.

I understand your frustration, but I think it's making you a bit blind to reality.

If you take someone like this guy and dump him in a manky cell with no exercise or entertainment for a few years, do you think he'll be a better or worse person when he comes out the other side?

Unless you're suggesting that all custodial sentences be life sentences, or that we just put all criminals to death, then this is something that has to be considered.

Criminals do shitty things, they can hurt people, put fear in people, change people's lives for the worse, but they're not a separate species and they are not necessarily evil to the core. It's not 'politically correct BS' to think of the bigger picture or to treat people with a bit of humanity.

There's plenty of people out there who do bad things or get on the wrong side of the law and then reinvent themselves to become productive members of society. The purpose of prison shouldn't be to punish people like bold children, it should be to protect the public and rehabilitate the criminal before they are reintroduced to society. It's the only thing that makes sense, unless you're going to kill them all.

kippy

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I understand your frustration, but I think it's making you a bit blind to reality.

If you take someone like this guy and dump him in a manky cell with no exercise or entertainment for a few years, do you think he'll be a better or worse person when he comes out the other side?

Unless you're suggesting that all custodial sentences be life sentences, or that we just put all criminals to death, then this is something that has to be considered.

Criminals do shitty things, they can hurt people, put fear in people, change people's lives for the worse, but they're not a separate species and they are not necessarily evil to the core. It's not 'politically correct BS' to think of the bigger picture or to treat people with a bit of humanity.

There's plenty of people out there who do bad things or get on the wrong side of the law and then reinvent themselves to become productive members of society. The purpose of prison shouldn't be to punish people like bold children, it should be to protect the public and rehabilitate the criminal before they are reintroduced to society. It's the only thing that makes sense, unless you're going to kill them all.

In fairness I did mention rehabillitation in a roundabout way - there is definitely a place for it.

But at the moment, the guy has no fear of what happens if he gets caught - zero. Thats the bottom line. The state even get him legal representation.......coming outta my pocket.........he doesn't actually repay society for what he has gotten from society in the first place. Just take take take.

Lock em up, scare the living ****e outta them, make being locked up a really really bad experience. You dont need to kill anyone.

Agent Smith

Taxpayers fund €70k in sports gear for inmates

I'm glad Shatter gave his money to the Jack and Jill foundation....

D1stant

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

I understand your frustration, but I think it's making you a bit blind to reality.

If you take someone like this guy and dump him in a manky cell with no exercise or entertainment for a few years, do you think he'll be a better or worse person when he comes out the other side?

Unless you're suggesting that all custodial sentences be life sentences, or that we just put all criminals to death, then this is something that has to be considered.

Criminals do shitty things, they can hurt people, put fear in people, change people's lives for the worse, but they're not a separate species and they are not necessarily evil to the core. It's not 'politically correct BS' to think of the bigger picture or to treat people with a bit of humanity.

There's plenty of people out there who do bad things or get on the wrong side of the law and then reinvent themselves to become productive members of society. The purpose of prison shouldn't be to punish people like bold children, it should be to protect the public and rehabilitate the criminal before they are reintroduced to society. It's the only thing that makes sense, unless you're going to kill them all.

Treating prisoners with a bit of humanity does not mean indoor Tennis. Implementing a tougher penal system does not mean killing them all

My point is that there is a middle ground that will

- Cost the state less
- Make the prisoner regret the crime and not wish to re-offend. If hat means prison is uncomfortable and boring. Tough.

ScumLord

D1stant wrote: »

but spending tax on these luxuries cant be justified.

these aren't really a luxury. Not from from the point of view of either the prisoner of the prison officers. These are a distraction to stop people going crazy, we have to be very careful that in the process of punishing people for their crimes we're not turning them into bigger and bigger lunatics every time they do a short stint inside. I'm sure it also gives a break to the people running the prisons.

A person left in confinement with no mental tasks to carry out and keep their mind occupied will go insane. We're not locking these people up for life so it's stupid to spend four years driving them insane to release them back onto the street.

D1stant

ScumLord wrote: »

these aren't really a luxury. Not from from the point of view of either the prisoner of the prison officers. These are a distraction to stop people going crazy, we have to be very careful that in the process of punishing people for their crimes we're not turning them into bigger and bigger lunatics every time they do a short stint inside. I'm sure it also gives a break to the people running the prisons.

A person left in confinement with no mental tasks to carry out and keep their mind occupied will go insane. We're not locking these people up for life so it's stupid to spend four years driving them insane to release them back onto the street.

Sorry. Playstations and tennis ARE luxuries. Lots of people cant afford them. Whats wrong with a yard to walk around in, classes to sign up for, people to talk to and 3 square meals a day

seamus

One thing that's always absent from debates like this are hard facts.

People say that doing hard time and working on chain gangs will "teach them a lesson", whereas going soft on them just means they'll treat it like a long holiday.

However, the general evidence doesn't seem to add up. Severe punishments do not discourage serious crimes. The US is great for comparative data because some states have the death penalty and some don't. The data shows that there is basically no difference in crime rates between the two. States which routinely execute prisoners (like Texas), do not have better crime rates than ones which don't.

The United States has the highest rate of imprisonment in the civilised world (2.3 million Americans are in prison), and US prisons are known for being pretty tough places. They are constantly running out of prison space and creating new prisons. The US recidivism rate (the number of people who are re-imprisoned for a new crime after being released) is over 50%.

Denmark by contrast, has an exceptionally soft prison system where prisoners go to school, live in segregated domiciles (often with partners and children) and generally do shorter sentences. Recidivism rates in Denmark are 27%.

Denmark's prison populations are 10% the size of the US ones (in relative terms). In fact, Denmark announced in 2009 that it was closing prisons because it didn't have enough prisoners to fill them. So they're clearly doing something right, and the US is clearly doing something wrong.

http://berkleycenter.georgetown.edu/letters/the-danish-prison-system

Now, there are other factors at play here - poverty rates, education rates, etc. However, the best thing we can say about treating prisoners harshly is that it doesn't do anything to stop them re-offending. It may not make things worse either, but it certainly doesn't make them better.

ScumLord

D1stant wrote: »

Sorry. Playstations and tennis ARE luxuries. Lots of people cant afford them. Whats wrong with a yard to walk around in, classes to sign up for, people to talk to and 3 square meals a day

They can do that too, but maybe some people are socially awkward and will isolate themselves, maybe some are known rats and can't be around others, maybe some are avoiding gangs or bad influences.

A playstation might be a luxury to you or me were we play it in our spare time but when it's the only distraction you have it becomes the better option out of playing a game you're bored of or staring at the wall.

Amirani

Very true Seamus. Unfortunately, the pro-hard labour brigade don't tend to look at evidence and rely exclusively on what makes sense in their head.

K-9

kippy wrote: »

I had an attempted break in a couple of weekends ago. Myself, my wife and our two young kids were in the house. The guy attempted to break the lock on the front door (which I heard), then went round the back and tried get in the sliding door. We heard him and scared him off. Luckily enough we hear him before he managed to get into the house.
My wife and I were well shook and have since upped security a bit. Thankfully he didnt get into the house.
He had also attempted the same thing on a another house in the esate, he didnt manage to get in but no one in the house heard him trying anything.
Another house a few estates down, wasn't so lucky - he got in took a few bits and pieces and went on his merry way.
Did he give two fcks about my family? No way. Had he gotten into the house who knows what would have gone down.

To be fair to AGS, they caught the guy and were on the ball getting to our house etc. I will be following up to see what the guys background is and what ultimately happens him.

That fcker had no fear about attempting to rob three different houses for what I would guess would be a severely limited amount of loot. Obviously the risk of getting caught for such a small amount of money doesnt scare the guy at all as he knows the penalty (jail time) is a walk in the park.
While at the same time he's scarred the ****e outta at least 3 families who are now probably more security conscious than they should be.

We've had these stories for centuries and centuries. Sorry to hear about that.

The point of this story?
This country has one of the best welfare systems in the world. There's absolute NO excuse for some prick to need more money unless they are supporting an expensive habit (Usually drugs).
If these guys aren't afraid of what awaits them if they get caught they'll keep at it and pass on the "skills" to others.

Its time to lose a bit of the politicilly correct BS that's permeated in this and other countries over the years and enact more stringent sentencing and/or education programmes for these types of criminal.
They don't give a fcuk about you - just remember that.

Of course there's no excuse for it, I'd have thought that was pretty obvious.

Still, just because hardened criminals exist and always will doesn't mean we should ignore rehabilitation.

As for the OP, I don't see a problem. Take the leisure time rights away for misbehaviour and it can be used as a deterrent. The hardened criminal you encountered probably isn't going to give a bollicks about a PS4, but that doesn't mean it might prove useful for some.

murphyebass

Indoor tennis court and a Playstaion is rediculous no matter what way you look at it !!

As far as excercise goes give them a football (costing what a tenner) and jumpers for goal posts.

As far as pastimes go how about books!! Plenty of old cheap books around.

Criminals should not be given luxuries in particular ones that I have to pay for.

Sure give them their yard time and pastimes so they dont get bored or go insane as some have already said but why give them things that I cant even afford for myself!

Again probably a nothing story but if theres even an ounce of truth to it ... :rolleyes::mad:

kippy

K-9 wrote: »

We've had these stories for centuries and centuries. Sorry to hear about that.



Of course there's no excuse for it, I'd have thought that was pretty obvious.

Still, just because hardened criminals exist and always will doesn't mean we should ignore rehabilitation.

As for the OP, I don't see a problem. Take the leisure time rights away for misbehaviour and it can be used as a deterrent. The hardened criminal you encountered probably isn't going to give a bollicks about a PS4, but that doesn't mean it might prove useful for some.

As I said, I'd rather tackle the causes than deal with the effects and I do agree with a lot said here.
It's also important to point out that one form of punishment/rehab etc doesn't fit all circumstances.
There's defo a place for rehabilitation and trying to get at the causes of why people do these things.
HOWEVER there is also a place for a less "soft" penal system - you want to give these guys something to do, have them at least do something that helps repay their major debt to the rest of society, while possibly undertaking some form of rehab.

I suppose having had a recent incident means I might be a bit more angry.
I'd also say that in a lot of these debates so much is made of the fact that these criminals are human beings and they deserve a chance etc.
Nobody really mentions the victims. What rights do they have? As I said, we were lucky, no one go into the house and no one got hurt but emotionally it has effected us. What about those who suffer physical trauma - don't they have rights? I have a right to feel safe in my own home - somebody who attempts to take away that right, no matter what they excuse (and let me tell you, it is an excuse) should not be in the position not to give a crap about the repercussions.

There are thousands of people out there who literally are pushed to the pin of their collar but do not resort to crime to support themselves. It is not an excuse for criminality.
There are plenty people out there who left school at a very young age (12 in the case of my father). He didn't resort to crime.
Indeed there are many out there with addictions that (outside of the possible addiction themselves) don't resort to crime.

Maximus Alexander

We need to dispel this notion that the state are paying for the Playstations. They belong to the prisoners.

Amirani

murphyebass wrote: »

Indoor tennis court and a Playstaion is rediculous no matter what way you look at it !!

As far as excercise goes give them a football (costing what a tenner) and jumpers for goal posts.

As far as pastimes go how about books!! Plenty of old cheap books around.

Criminals should not be given luxuries in particular ones that I have to pay for.

Sure give them their yard time and pastimes so they dont get bored or go insane as some have already said but why give them things that I cant even afford for myself!

Again probably a nothing story but if theres even an ounce of truth to it ... :rolleyes::mad:

I wonder how they'll manage to build an indoor tennis court with their 70k budget?

70k really is very little in this context. If it drops recidivism by even 1%, it's more than paid for itself.

kippy

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

We need to dispel this notion that the state are paying for the Playstations. They belong to the prisoners.

Prisoners should not be allowed playstations in their cells - simple as, no matter who pays for them.
If they want to kill time let them:
1. Do something productive.
2. Think about what they have done and where they are going with their lives.

ScumLord

murphyebass wrote: »

As far as excercise goes give them a football (costing what a tenner) and jumpers for goal posts.

I suppose the benefit of tennis over soccer is that it would have a maximum of 4 people playing at a time, were as a soccer game could have 20 or more. So if tempers get flared it's easier to deal with the fallout from a tennis game than it would be for a soccer game. Tennis is pretty high intensity too so it will wear out the participants quicker.

As far as pastimes go how about books!! Plenty of old cheap books around.

How about playstations!! Plenty of cheap playstations around. Two people can use a playstation at once, it's more relevant and it won't fill them full of ideas like them books do.

Amirani

kippy wrote: »

Prisoners should not be allowed playstations in their cells - simple as, no matter who pays for them.

What is this based on?

If a study came out tomorrow showing that Playstation usage in prison caused re-offending rates to drop by 5%, would you change your mind?

Do you not think that those involved in making these decisions have far more information available to them than you?

Lingua Franca

kippy wrote: »

If these guys aren't afraid of what awaits them if they get caught they'll keep at it and pass on the "skills" to others.

And if they were afraid of what awaits them they would still keep at it. The death penalty doesn't reduce the murder rate. Countries with stricter and more physical punishments don't have near zero crime rates. The fear of punishment does not deter crime.

Giving them sod all to do in jail, though, leaves them with plenty of time to pass their skills on to others.

L'Enfer du Nord

What it boils down to is the prisoners are obviously in prison 24 hours a day 7 days a week, so inevitably guarding them is going to be labor intensive. I remember reading that there was roughly a 1:1 ratio of prison staff to prisioners in Ireland, this may no longer be the case.

I'd say another major issue is criminals, usually minors being able to rack up a rake of conviction before they get a custodial sentence.

I was really struck some years ago by a case of some Irish youth's on a trip to Germany with their soccer team set fire to a car, they were arrested and sent to prison awaiting trial.

They actually had politicians here campaigning to get them released on the basis that they were sorry and were willing to pay compensation.

I'd say they were merely behaving over there they way they behave here and were surprised to find that there were consequences for their actions.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2001/06/14/00007.asp

kippy

Diego Simeone wrote: »

What is this based on?

If a study came out tomorrow showing that Playstation usage in prison caused re-offending rates to drop by 5%, would you change your mind?

Do you not think that those involved in making these decisions have far more information available to them than you?

If you can show me a definitive study that provides a solid link between the two, I'd consider the evidence and make up my own mind.

At the moment though no such study exists.
What exists is my own experiences and thoughts.
Some of which go along these lines:

I work 5 days a week, long hours, to support my family.
I give almost 50% of what I earn back to the state in direct and indirect taxation.
I pay all my bills, insurances, etc etc on time.
I teach my kids about good and bad.
I dont have a second of time to myself in reality.

And you know what I see when I see prisoners doing all this in prision?
I think, if I were close to criminality - ie breaking the law was a margin call........
I'd be thinking, jaysus this prison lark isn't too bad. Plenty free time for leisure activities, no real drawbacks etc etc.

So yeah, I dont want to see prisoners, particularily those who have committed serious crime, spending time doing partaking in leisure activities.

Their victims rarely have that chance.

D1stant

ScumLord wrote: »

I suppose the benefit of tennis over soccer is that it would have a maximum of 4 people playing at a time, were as a soccer game could have 20 or more. So if tempers get flared it's easier to deal with the fallout from a tennis game than it would be for a soccer game. Tennis is pretty high intensity too so it will wear out the participants quicker.

:eek:

How about scuba diving - they would go down in pairs so much less likely a problem would arise... or Golf or...

Jesus. My heart bleeds.

D1stant

Diego Simeone wrote: »

What is this based on?

If a study came out tomorrow showing that Playstation usage in prison caused re-offending rates to drop by 5%, would you change your mind?

Do you not think that those involved in making these decisions have far more information available to them than you?

If a study came out tomorrow showing that career criminals are laughing their assess off at the taxpayer, victims, AGS and prison would you change your mind?

If a study came out tomorrow showing that if the dole was doubled or trebled for drug users that there would be far less crime would you support that?

Lou.m

D1stant wrote: »

Unbelievable. Indoor Tennis? Playstations?

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/taxpayers-fund-70k-in-sports-gear-for-inmates-30297828.html

I know there is an argument between the educate & pamper prisoners and they will not recommit versus chain gangs & make them regret the crime. The right balance is probably somewhere in the middle, but spending tax on these luxuries cant be justified.

Why cant we bring down the cost of housing an inmate. 65k per year is crazy

Time to tell you guys something

I played Jesus in a men's prison.

I did a sort of volunteer music concert in mountjoy. It was for the church service it was for their easter service.

They had an amazing folk group.

This is going to seem crazy. But ..I played Jesus in a easter service.

I am not making this up.

It was a makeshift stations of the cross.

FATHER Peter McVerry (he was chaplain there at that time) was friends with some people at my college who did volunteer work. We were in a choir /music group. We thought we would play in the prison for the inmates.

I was happy to do it and sing and all.

But ..I played Jesus in a men's prison. THAT'S TRIPPY.

ALso to add to the Trippiness..I am female.

But one thing that struck me about it was when it was over. EVERY SINGLE MAN CAME UP TO ALL OF US INDIVIDUALLY AND SAID THANK YOU AND SHOOK OUR HANDS.

I thought that was very decent and respectful.

They had a great folk group and a soloist with a great voice.

Some of them are trying to get by.

Yes there are terrible people. I don't know whether I approve or not.

I wish more disadvantaged youths had the chance for swimming or tennis etc.
There are people in prison and people who belong in prison ...the two are not one and the same.

There are people I have come across who are terrible.

I am not saintly and I don't think all can be rehabilitated. And some are animals.

John Lonergan was Governor of Mountjoy Prison at the time he was pretty amazing.

Not sure who it is now.

Now ...
....*I played Jesus in a men's prison* .... I had robes and everything and a cross! I carried this large cross. I'm female ....trippy

I know no one is going to believe this....it IS true.

I have done drama in a men's prison ...my brain can handle that...I have been in a choir and sang in a men's prison

I played Jesus in a men's prison ....those are some trippy memories

xbox360

This actually mad me annoyed as I have a daughter with severe special needs in Cope in Cork and I have been trying to get her a decent ipad or tablet to aid with her learning,not to play Aangry birds with.I've tried everywhere to find out about a grant or something to help us get one.I even asked yesterday here on Boards in all the TALK TO sections if one one of the companies could help out.
Today we still have no way to get one for her and then I'm hearing about prisoners getting playstaions etc etc.
How can this be fair?
How can this government think this is fair?

seamus

D1stant wrote: »

If a study came out tomorrow showing that career criminals are laughing their assess off at the taxpayer, victims, AGS and prison would you change your mind?

Study finds that career criminals are "very happy", think the rest of society are "clowns"
It's not very scientific, is it?

If a study came out tomorrow showing that if the dole was doubled or trebled for drug users that there would be far less crime would you support that?

Seems like a reasonable trade. It would probably be far cheaper to give them money if you no longer had to spend it chasing them down, bringing them to court and then incarcerating them.

ScumLord

D1stant wrote: »

:eek:

How about scuba diving - they would go down in pairs so much less likely a problem would arise... or Golf or...

Jesus. My heart bleeds.

Well think about it this way. Say you're working as a prison warden and your job is to watch over them while they do their physical activity. An argument breaks out over the game, which would you rather they were playing? Two a side tennis, or 12 a side soccer? Even from the point of view of the tennis racket being a weapon it gives the officer an excuse to immediately pull out any deterrents like a club and take control of the situation.

kippy

Ah sure feck it, why put them in prison in the first place. Causing hassle to the prison guards, costing money.
Just let them run free to terrorise the populace.