Should Video Games Be Allowed in Prison?

An article reporting a breaking story about controversy over the availability of video games in Canadian prisons. This is just the latest story in a brewing debate about video games that are reportedly being increasingly used to control the behavior of prisoners.

[LX-General-Kaos]

I believe that great gaming experiences should be offered in prison.. I dont see why not. A little bit of Super Mario fun never hurt anybody.

It would be actually amusing to see that one day the Nintendo Wii U entertainment system became one of the very few standard forms of entertainment during lock up. It would offer a fairly nice escape from the norm that the prisoners have grown accustom to.

Judging by the type of place that is, and the people held there. The games offered in prison should be nothing short of an arsenal of Rated E For Everyone titles. Keeping the vast majority of graphic violence out of sight.

[Carl_Shocker]

No..they should NOT be allowed in prisons

These people are serving time for a crime they have commited why the hell should we give them luxuries while they serve their time, the whole point they are there are to be punsished....seriously I can't believe you think we should allow them, it's bad enough most people ge away with "murder" in certain countries especialy here in the UK. I mean take this for example, a young man was in this old womens house robbing her, she heard him, woke up, went down stairs to scare him off, she saw that he had a knife but before he went for her he fell backwards and landed on knifes and glass that were in the dishwasher she had not closed up...in the end the guy sued the old women out of most of the money she had and she didn't do anything...HE was in HER house robbing her...I think she nearly served prison. aswell Point is...in a world where the justice system is a load of crap do you really want people in prison to enjoy things such as video games when there supposed to be punished.

Honestly...why don't we just give them their own butler while were at it.

Jeez...

[LX-General-Kaos]

Hey man that sounds pretty insane, but that has nothing to do with videogames. That is just an issue with the justice system that needs to be fixed. Prisoners enjoying the feature rich Nintendo Wii U entertainment system have nothing to do with that ladies unfortunate problem. And yes that is a major problem.

Yes they are there for bad things. But playing videogames is not exactly like giving them the opportunity to go to an amusement park. Especially if there is a limited amount of time they are allowed to play in the day. It is nothing more than a quick mental escape from their harsh reality.

Rated E For Everyone

[Carl_Shocker]

Oh my god can you just forget about Nintendo or the Wii U for like one second...honestly it's all you talk about. Were talking about a serious subject here, is it realy the place for fanboy dribble.

"Yes they are there for bad things. But playing videogames is not exactly like giving them the opportunity to go to an amusement park"

Erm...no but you giving them something to enjoy and pass the time which shouldn't happen, if you've murderd someone do you really think the parents of that murdered child are going to be happy about the killer playing on video games after he or she has just destroyed their lifes....I don't think so. They should sit in that cell, in a crap enviroment and regret what they've done to be placed in their. There not going to learn there lesson if were giviving them video games, TVs, nice food, DVDs etc...they've think it's a hotel there living in for free.

[LX-General-Kaos]

I will not debate any further because you are clearly upset about the subject. I also fully respect your opinion, and you are actually probably correct. I just personally dont see the harm in a limited amount of gaming time.

And how dare you try to censor my videogame speak on a videogame site in an article questioning if people should or should not play videogames... good times.

Rated E For Everyone

[Wenis]

Yeah it sure would be discouraging to criminals, knowing if they get caught, they'll be serving hard time with fun and games. I mean hell they'd probably just play games all day if that were the case. I guess it wouldn't be different then a lot of the lives of typical gamers, sitting in a room gaming all day.

[Army_of_Darkness]

So your telling us that if a thief for example robbed your house and killed your parents, you would be fine with that thief being allowed to play and enjoy video games in prison for killing your parents? by which is funded by our tax dollars?.... Think about it...

I don't know about you, but I would want that murderous thief to suffer and get absolutely no enjoyment in any shape or form in prison if he robbed and killed my parents. .. just saying.

[guitarded77]

prison - A building to which people are legally committed as a punishment for crimes they have committed or while awaiting trial.

I certainly believe that humans should not be subjected to cruel and unusual punishment, but prison is a place for people whom have done bad things, go for punishment.

In the US, the state and federal prisons offer weights, sports and work programs so they can get exercise and have social interaction. This also allows the prisoners to have some sense of normalcy and makes the prison a safer place than it would be without such activities.

There is real debate in the US of whether the inmates are given too many privileges already. Allowing them to have such luxuries is frowned upon by most of the population. I for one can see it from both sides, but heavily lean toward inmates NOT having access to video games because I believe the beneficial aspects of gaming are already provided through other programs already in place.

There are people in our society who would commit crimes and/or break probation/parole to go to a prison where they are fed, can watch TV, play basketball, etc, etc. The states and federal government do not need to provide any more incentive to sociopaths.

LX-General-Kaos, you should listen to Carl_Shocker. He is certainly right about you using every topic, especially this one to spin your unnatural love for all things Nintendo. It is immature, and does not serve the community of n4g well. Funny thing is, sometimes you have something valid to offer, but I always end up puking after reading your "Rated E For Everyone" dribble. The discussion of social issues and gaming is an M rated topic, so if you can't handle it, go find a Wii U article and praise away.

[LX-General-Kaos]

@guitarded77

Handle it? As in emotionally? That's pretty funny man. Waiiit a minute! Are you scolding me?

And yes I still would not mind occasional videogames in prison.

Rated M For Mature gamers in a prison article

[Laxman]

You realise the countries which treat their prisoners the best, giving them the best living environments and perks, also have the LOWEST rate of the prisoners commiting more crime once they're released?

Good living is rehabilitating.

[navx]

Hold on here. Prison isn't a time-out; let them reflect on what they did method. A Prison is a correctional facility. Their purpose is to rehabilitate prisoners to become better members or society upon release.

This method makes it less harsh on prisoners. Do you want your murder to play basketball? Well, he already does. Everything is planned out to restructure them to how the world really works.

[admiralvic]

I am okay with it, so long as it's a truly awful game. Perhaps this will be reason enough to dig up ET?

[Blankman85]

Yeah that story is made up. Heard it on Liar Liar!

[Fez]

Lol yeh, that was in Liar Liar... or Yes Man maybe... haha

[Carl_Shocker]

"LX-General-Kaos, you should listen to Carl_Shocker. He is certainly right about you using every topic, especially this one to spin your unnatural love for all things Nintendo. It is immature, and does not serve the community of n4g well."

and yet the guy has 6 bubbles....only on N4G folks

@Fez/Ndivhu

I knew I shouldn't of used that example....every one relates it to Liar Liar. Trust me something similar happened around here a few years ago and everyone nicknames it the "Liar Liar" affair because of how similar it is to the film but I swear on my parents life it did happen, maybe not in the exact same way but it did. Believe me, don't believe me, I don't know what I could say to make you think differntly.

[SilentNegotiator]

Why does LX have 6 bubbles when ALL of his comments are "Wii U; Super Duper Entertainment Experience! (C) Rated E for Everyone!" spam?

[gaffyh]

Yet another proof that prison is TOO easy, and that it is not a good enough deterrent.

[Hellsvacancy]

only for 4 weeks, I owed the Government about £300 in police fines, which I didnt pay it, so after a few months the police came to my house and took me to jail

When I was in there (must of been 7 years ago now) there was people with PS2s, playing Fifa mostly, I didnt have one in my cell, I did have a TV

My point is, ALL the convicts staying in the block I was in where all in there for petty crimes, like unpaid fines, criminal damage etc, nothing hardcore like murder or rape, that lot was in another cell block, so yeah, some prisoners should get it, prisoners like me, because your only there for a short time, theres no point going to "work" like the lifers do, you dont want to get yourself into a daily routine

I watched TV all day, it was horrible, it was the worst part of being in jail, day time TV all day, a PS2 would of made it quicker

Ive never been back

[PurpHerbison]

I can't see video games being detrimental in Prison.

[boybato]

"Hey man that sounds pretty insane, but that has nothing to do with videogames. That is just an issue with the justice system that needs to be fixed. Prisoners enjoying the feature rich Nintendo Wii U entertainment system have nothing to do with that ladies unfortunate problem. And yes that is a major problem.

Yes they are there for bad things. But playing videogames is not exactly like giving them the opportunity to go to an amusement park. Especially if there is a limited amount of time they are allowed to play in the day. It is nothing more than a quick mental escape from their harsh reality. "

>>>> LOL

[Thatguy-310]

The likes of journey would change a few souls in there.

[CalvinKlein]

I say hell no to TV and videogames in prison. make thos dirt bags read books if they want entertainment.

but I am also against food and water for serious prisoners so I may be biased.

I say each murderer and rapist should only get 1 bullet after being convicted, and it should e in theri head.

[omarzy]

You are against food and water for prisoners? Depriving food and water is considered psychological torture. That means you reject human rights, and do not agree with the UN making no torture an international law? It is fine to not want prisoners to have some entertainment, but calm down. Torture violates almost every set of human rights on the planet.

[SAE]

In my country (Bahrain) , the prison for the good humans , the leaders/doctors/teachers/worke rs/womens/children(less then 18 years old)..etc, the bad that kill/steal/torture/liers...etc are out do anything they want , they even get promoted / rewarded for commiting the crimes because they are surving the king and knee for him like if he is a god , torture the people you will be his consultant ...

@topic
Real criminals shouldnt get video games , educate them instead of this...

[NastyDaddeh]

do you have any idea how many inmates will be murdered over who beat who in a game....or will get killed/robbed for their systems.... NO JUST NO, theyve been stripped of their rights.

[TheDivine]

No way. Ive been locked up and while id love to be able to buy a system off commissary its

1) A punishment.

2) People get beat and stabbed over tobacco, shoes, and changing the channel on tv, what will a ps2 cause?

It would make it too comfortable. I wouldnt mind being inside if i had a crazy game collection, tv, radio, store (chips, noodles, soda, exc) and free meals with a warm bed. People in my town (homeless people) already commit misdemeaners when winter comes to get a warm place to stay and meals. Half my guys are in prison right now and honestly as is they dont mind it. They get inside with their people, play cards, watch sports, gamble, hustle, get dip/cigs, sell dope, and talk about making money plottin till they get out. Then they stack cash until they get roped and go back in for 5-10 years, come out to a pile of money, cars, girls, and nice shit and repeat the cycle. The only way to motivate people to change is to make poverty as uncomfortable as possible. That applies to entitlements but can apply to the prison system. Make it hard time to make people want to not come back. That might help some of the less hard people. The rest are institutionalized and cant be helped apart from God who can change their heart. Games, ipods, vcr's, dvd's, and all that is a resounding HELL NO!

I do say offer more education and programs for early release if you get a degree, get a certificate like welding, and complete substance abuse classes exc. Help people see that they have options and can be successful in life. Hope is a powerful thing. If alot of these folks exited with a degree/training that could get them a decent job woth fair wages they might stay out instead of letting them go in and come out the same person (usually harder with bigger ambitions and a colder heart) and dump them back into a bad environment. They dont realize how better their life would be sober and working because they dont know better. Idle hands are the devil's workshop. They need something productive and people to believe in them. Not all will or can change but i think rehabilitation is better than a long sentence. My 2 cents.

[Timesplitter14]

So you think the punishment for committing crimes should be to stay in a room playing videogames all day and being fed?

That is the ideal life for a lot of people

[Kran]

Prisoners are there for a reason: for punishment.

Giving them luxuries isn't exactly punishment is it?

[xXBlondieVanHarlowXx]

@ LX-General-Kaos

Oh sure, it's just what children need. A little Mario kart wii multiplayer against a rapist and a child molester... <_< *facepalm*

Excuse me i'm gonna go throw up.

[LX-General-Kaos]

That prison wifi connection...

[phinch]

it was on the news a while back prisoner using ps3's to message people on the outside, i can't get over general-kao's mentality

[Seventh_Blood_Reborn]

You exploit and manipulate every possible imaginable topic to advertise nintendo, get over with fanatic fool.

You are unbearable, people like you should be banned because the fanatics are dangerous people.

[krazykombatant]

Dude I totally agree with the majority of your posts on this, but this is way way out there. People who have murdered, stealing, raping and what not should not have any form of entertainment. They should be punished for what they did let alone play on the "ninendo wii U entertainment system" Its utterly ridiculous that you think that. I'm pretty sure that ninty or sony or ms wouldn't like their console let alone the developers like some violent criminals playing their game in jail.

If gaming is ever going to shake off the notion of causing violence I wouldn't have it in a jail.

[Seventh_Blood_Reborn]

In a country profoundly democratic -and let me point out profoundly democratic- prisons serves to correct the behavior of criminals and uncivilized people in general, not to punish.

This does not mean they must absolutely have videogames, but it does not mean absolutely the opposite either.

It must be a rehabilitation program (because the prisoners will be put back into civil society sooner or later, if they have not committed too serious crimes. This is a fact a state can' t ignore), not a punishment nor a holiday.

Prisoners needs a good dishiplined recover program, but since I am not a hypocrite I can not even say which elements might be useful or not, this should be asked to experts.

Anyway, the better results seems to come from those prisons who tries to rehabilitate criminals without punish them.

Instead of just punish criminals, they have had very good results letting the prisoners do socially usefull works, because in this way the prisoners are not eradicated completely from society and they learn -with discipline- more easily to respect the society and the civil behavior itself than just with a punishment.

[AznGaara]

You have people in the world who can't even afford a place to sleep or eat. You have people who work hard to get an education but can't find a job.

Its bad enough that prisoners have a constant source of food and a place to sleep, while good people become homeless, but you want those prisoners to enjoy themselves? You might as well get everyone without a way to support themselves kill people so they can all go to prison. A place where they'll be fed, provided with a bed and a roof over their heads and videogames... -_-

[fredrikpedersen]

I agree with you. Let them play games. Only one caveat though, they are paying for it themselves.

[BlaqMagiq24]

@LX-General-Kaos

Wow dude I started gaining respect for you and then I lost it after you mentioned "Wii U" and "prison" in the same sentence. You want to reward people for rape, murder, robbery, etc.? They're there to be punished for what they've done. They should be treated badly, made to feel horrible for what they've done and looked down upon as scum. If they want to escape the prisoners' norm they can read a book. By supporting this you're saying it's ok for them to have fun in prison after committing such a horrible act.

And you need to stop relating the Wii U to everything. Relating Wii U to a prison makes you look bad.

[zgoldenlionz]

Prison is for punishment not fun. Why put someone in a concrete room with a lock on the door if your going to let them escape mentally with games?

[phinch]

Do you get the idea of prison and what it's for? "Escape from the norm"...wow your really something

[gintoki777]

its better than giving them a gym to workout in so they can get stronger and fuck shit up when they get out of prison only get back in. But still they deserve nothing.

[Batzi]

Yes.

[Relientk77]

No video games should not be allowed prison. What are people crazy? Prison is a punishment for the criminals who commited crimes, stealing, murder etc. They don't deserve to have video games and entertainment. Too bad for them.

[MultiConsoleGamer]

Absolutely not. And neither should TV.

[AWBrawler]

Hell no they are in jail not a hotel

[bubblebeam]

No. Absolutely not. I don't know wether you guys have seen Australian jails, but they are like hotels. Hotel meals, TV, Internet, Video Games, recreational facilities...etc

I am not a violent human by nature, but some of these child rapists deserve to have their throats slit. End of story. This stuff makes my blood boil, especially with the recent abduction rape/murder of a beautiful woman, Jill Meagher.

I think for low level crimes, after good behaviour, maybe they can have an hour session here and there. But some of the awful crimes committed by some criminals, makes them no more than feral animals who have to be put down, removed from society.

[Relientk77]

^ This

[G33K]

Either way they're still gonna be called a bitch by a man they dont even know.

[Soldierone]

i know someone that actually prefers to be in jail because he can't find a job or live on his own. He always says "if they get me, well at least I have a free roof over my head, I can actually eat, and other things"

It's a bit messed up that you would reward CRIMINALS with a video game system....They should be forced to sit there and think about what they did the entire time, it shouldn't be a rewarding experience AT ALL. Some of the harder tiers of prison won't even allow the inmates to write notes/books, thats how it should be.

[vortis]

Dude, that almost makes sense...about the guy wanting to be in prison as opposed to outside.

In some places there are no jobs, which means no food and no shelter. At least in prison you get a free gym membership, a bed, a TV and more sex than Charlie Sheen...it may not be straight, but they get it.

[yeahokchief]

fuck no. i dont want my tax money going towards video games for prisoners. they're there to serve time for shit they did. they aren't there to have fun.

[TheDivine]

Actually your tax money wouldnt. They sell stuff like radio's in the store for profit (either the state or a place like swansons). I agree they shouldnt allow them but just wanted to point out you dont pay for anything extra. Hell half the prisons nowadays make money. A whole lot are privately owned and put inmates to work for something redic like 20 cents and hour (dont know how much). Its a massive industry.

[phinch]

No in the UK this is what tax payers money would go on

[yesmynameissumo]

Absolutely. A RROD 360 or YLOD PS3 should be adequate. Or a Wii with only Order Up to play.

[majiebeast]

Hey you killed someone go play video games in prison on tax payer money. Prisoners should get the bare minimum.

[jeeves86]

I would rather they get an education. Turn them into productive members of society.

You might wonder why I would afford them something that many people sadly don't have access to. I'm from Canada, a place where prison sentences are notoriously short (if existent at all). I believe that offenders will continue to offend if they have nothing to rely on once they're released from prison. If they have no education, if they have no job prospects or experience, if they have no marketable skills or treatment, as soon as they are released from prison, they will turn right back to what they know. I'm not saying that prison should be a place to go to get better, but if the gov't sees long-term prison sentences as cruel and unusual, prison sentences will remain short, and offenders will continue to re-offend.

So no Nintendo or Xbox until they finish their homework.

[omarzy]

They are allowed to get an education if they want to. Education is a universal human right.

[jeeves86]

That's true, however not everyone does. It should be one of those required things.

[bubblebeam]

"I would rather they get an education. Turn them into productive members of society."

So Brain Training DS it is then :)

[RmanX1000]

No.

[omarzy]

They ARE allowed. It is up to the prisons to put electronic entertainment in. Depending on the severity of the crime, you may be allowed to watch TV in a f-ing dorm room with other inmates. Hooking up a game console isn't crossing any sort of line. Depends of the crime. If you have a few years for affiliation or conspiracy, then who cares. If you are in for murder or any sort of extreme violence then forget it.

[TrevorPhillips]

Not a good idea anyways, they can make anything out of the consoles and either stab someone or do something you guys know what I mean. and I agree, they are there to serve there time!

[CalvinKlein]

haha thy would make them into a shank or strangle each other with the cords, you are correct.

maybe they could break the disks into sharp plastic shivs.

That would be funny. The guard comes back after leaving them alone playing COD together for 5 min and they are all dead strangled with HDMI cords and stabbed to death with plastic console shivs.

[TrevorPhillips]

ROFLLL!! Bro that was hilarious :P

[Question_Mark]

They're being punished, aren't they? How is getting to play video games a punishment? They should serve their time. They can play video games as much as they want when they get out.

[bubblebeam]

"How is getting to play video games a punishment?"

I dunno, some games are pretty darn bad....

[WeskerChildReborned]

Wow.

[Drainage]

sure why not. lets not be selfish

[tachy0n]

people are there to be punished not to be rewarded.

[Summons75]

NO!

People in prison are in there for a reason. They are already getting treated like they are on a luxury vacation when really they should be given a thin slice of bread and a cup of water for the week. Seriously, criminals get way to many liberties in jail and all on tax payer dollars, completely unfair to the actual people in society who know how to not break the law.

[NastyDaddeh]

i wonder how many inmates will be murdered over who beat who in a game....or will get killed/robbed for their systems.... NO JUST NO, theyve been stripped of their rights.

[Dms2012]

For murderers and rapists, no. For non violent crimes I see no problem with letting them play games. And an fyi, for the most part the only difference between them and you is that they got caught, so stop with the lynch mob mentality.

[No_Pantaloons]

Prison takes away freedom, which is a far greater punishment than some of you are aware of. Playing video games doesn't suddenly make it into a luxury resort, its still the worst place on earth. They can be killed over nothing, raped by other inmates, or just spend 23 hours a day in a 10 foot cell, and that destroys the mind more than anything. Imagine stuffing magazines under your shirt everyday before you go to lunch cause someone might try to stab you with a sharpened spoon handle, that kind of fear is worse than anything most people experience.

Now I'm generally hard on criminals, but just like there are awful people who maybe deserve all of that, there are also ones that made mistakes and (like it or not) may return to society some day. I don't see games being some grand present, more like an efficient way to pacify them, instead of weight lifting, which increases testosterone and leaves us with bigger stronger convicts returning to the street.

[AmkOwns]

I don't think games will do any good inside, they'll end up raging and start stabbing inmates over a game lol

[thawind]

Wow people are acting like it's a sin to play a freaking video game.

[steve30x]

Its not a sin to play a video game. It is a sin to give a prisoner home comforts though

[Blitz001]

Who says they aren't in some jails? Me and my "roommates" played Hitman on PS2 whole day and night :)

[Cam977]

No. They chose to end up in the can therefore, they took responsibility and should've been aware of the consequences. If not, it's their fault and I hope they regret it.

[steve30x]

Games should not be allowed in Prison. The people in prison have it too soft now. Here in Ireland they get fed better than I feed myself every day , they have TV , movies and games. These people are in prison to serve time not to be pampered

[PastyGangster]

Next article we will see will be, "Inmate fatally stabbed in prison, beat fellow inmate in a game of Mario Kart"

[markeggertsen]

Is the most important question really whether games should be allowed in prison, or where the money to pay for them should come from?

[tigertron]

Prison isn't some holiday resort. There should be no fun in prison.

[Slugg3r]

Well I live in Finland and prizoners DO have PS2s in prizons. But the main point of sentence here, is to rehabilate the criminal and make him fit the society once again. That is why the prizon system in here gives inmates a possibility for free education while still treating them as humans. When it comes to gaming consoles in prizon, I do see their good side in relieving the stress among inmates and in that way making them calmer. But I should add that one can argue if it's morally right to give a triple murderer extra entertainment.
In my opinion the one thing that should be offered in prizon, would be education. With criminals having something to go back to after serving their time, they are far less likely to commit crimes again. Treating them as human beings will also help a lot.
So in conclusion, no I don't think gaming consoles are to be offered for convicts, but I still don't agree with majority here saying that one should just be locked up and the key thrown away. Education, education, education, it is the best thing to keep criminals off the streets

[leogets]

Not every prisoner is a murderer or rapist.some are in there for not payin tv licence and petty things. Them kinda offences should be fine but the murderes should be rigged up to high voltage electrobes and a copy of battlefield 3 and made to play 24/7

[ChronoJoe]

Depends on the crime committed really. Some prisoner I wouldn't like to see ever released, and of course in turn wouldn't like to see them enjoying their time in prison.

But at the same time there are many others who committed relatively minor crimes, the removal of their freedom is really, punishment enough. I think video games and positive experiences generally can only have a positive influence on their behavior.

Obviously only games like Super Mario and so forth though.

[Double_O_Revan]

No, because playing video games causes violence, remember?

[goldwyncq]

Each prisoner must be required to play FFXIII everyday for 16 hours.

[richardcaoue]

I think that this is a good idea. Not all prisoners are horrible. Most of them are in there for marijuana related incidents!

[Nunchez]

Really do those people deserve anything? Some shouldn't be even breathing. Video games? Most definitely not.

[VTKC]

Prison is a place for people who have done wrong and is put there as punishment. Video games is entertainment. Why is it even questioned whether video games are there for these people to be entertained while they are suppose to be doing time for their crime?

[Moncole]

They should only be allowed to play bad games.

[the_hitman3000]

To be honest though I bet even a lot of people who said no on here. That if they were in prison they would be wanting it. And don't tell me you wouldn't because if your in there for 20 years you would love the idea to play it to pass the time. It does make it less of a punishment yes but still.

[AO1JMM]

Of course they would want such things but prison is punishment not a "go to your room without supper" timeout type of thing.

[carlocgc]

they shouldn't be given such luxuries. Food, Water, Hole to %$^6 in. thats too much if you ask me

[Saturne3]

I think that only should be allowed to prisoners that behaved well for a year or something.

You live once and if they behave well for it let them have a little down time with an inocent pass time to make them understand good not evil.

Also this matter should depend with each prisoner profile.

[Arcanine]

i say yes. true some people who raped lil kids should not be allowed to enjoy life at all. but what about people who robbed or parking tickets.. child support i dont see whats wrong if they were to have a lil fun. even without the video games they still play ball and watch tv.

[AO1JMM]

Personally I say no because the last time I checked that is supposed to be a punishment.

[isarai]

Maybe for minimum security or people on good behavior, but to give something like that to an inmatecould be dangerous, there's so many parts he could turn into a weapon.

On the other hand it could help calm people down, releive some anger, and maybe even bring some happiness possibly bringing the overall hostility down in the prison.

It could go both ways, but if the goal is to rehabilitate i could definitely see this helping

[punkbunny89]

First off, prisoners should be allowed video games in prison as long as they are reasonable. Being a correctional officer i know what these people have to live with everyday. They DO still have rights, not all of the rights we have, but still some. Recreation is one of them. Video games are a form of rec. Think of it this way....would you rather have a fully entertained and quiet offender, or would you want them to be crazy, bored, and fighting all the time. In the eyes of a correctional officer video games are good for them. It entertains the prisoners, keeps them quiet, calm, and happy. Even though those who do not work or have not worked at these facilities do not understand...we want happy prisoners. It makes our day much easier. Plus it does help them ease into what life is like outside prison. so don't just think with your biased opinions on how prisoners should live, think of those who deal with them everyday. The prisoners have life in prison more rough than you think.

[brich233]

Allowing video games in prison will maybe teach a criminal to play videogames instead of commiting crimes. Although prisoners who are spending life in jail should not be allowed to play videogames.

[AIndoria]

SO much hate.

Popcorns, where art thou when I need thee? Idiots arguing over an article. Yes, now it's interesting.

[DFresh]

It won't stop gangs, murders, rapes, extortions, drug sales or any other types of criminal activities in prison.
If anything you'll get pieces of consoles be made into weapons or you'll have other prisoners murder each other just for more time on the video games.
Can you imagine how easy it'd be to stash away lethal shanks, drugs or other contraband inside the consoles?
The new slimmer PS3 with its disc open slot is just another way to hide contraband.
I'm just saying prison/jail are supposed to be punishments and not a luxurious vacation.
Hell it's upsetting enough as American tax payers have to pay to keep these monsters alive.
In my opinion if your guilty of murder, rape, pedophilia or are a criminal leader should automatically warrant the death penalty.
But that'll never happen so yeah.

[atticus14]

Give them mario party and let god sort them out

[SITH]

Sure why not. Tournaments and all. Oh, wait... that is a privilege. One offered to society that follows the laws and stays out of prision. So no, go to prision lose entertainment. Rehabilitation does not include reaching level fifty in borderlands 2.

[jambola]

NO
if people are in prison they are in for a reason
they shouldn't be allowed to enjoy themselves