Prisoners should be allowed mobile phones and internet access
Whilst I can understand the Prison Service seeking to crackdown on the supply of drugs going into prison, there is a wider issue here about the use of mobile phones by prisoners.
Recently, it emerged that prisoners were being charged 70% more than phone users outside by BT for phoning home. In my view, this cannot be justified given that prisoners only receive pocket money compared to the real wages received by people outside of prison. Therefore, it could be argued that prisoners should be allowed to have mobile phones in closed prisons.
Technology has moved forward. It used to be that prisoners would communicate by tapping out morse code messages on the heating pipes that run through the cells. These days I receive emails from inside, and know that my blog is read from those who have internet access on their mobile phones. I don't consider this to be a bad thing.
Not everybody outside who has a mobile phone and/or the internet uses it to call their drug dealer or access pornography. It would be deemed to be a breach of civil liberties if the authorities attempted to block general access for the sake of a few. And, I would argue that the same should apply within prisons.
UPDATE: It's worth pointing out that drugs do not get into prison via the mobile phone. That is just a source of communication. Nor do they get in via the prisoners internet connection. Drugs get in because there has been a security breach. That is the Prison Service's and Ministry of Justice responsibility.
A mixture of law, politics, autobiography and humour. Once described as "The Devilish Advocate" (Guardian), I do have the ability to provoke a response. Sometimes it comes from someone who uses a thought process, and sometimes from jerks usually associated with the knee.
8 comments:
Extortionate phone costs contributes to losing family support, which increases the odds of reoffending. Then we all pay. Most mobiles in prison are used for the cheaper costs, the drug issue is a prison service ploy to keep prisoners tied to the thieving BT system.
If prisoners can be on the net in order to make millions for the company Summit Media at HMP Wolds, why are they not allowed the net for education purposes due to "security concerns"?
thebeardedone: You raise a valid point. I am in contact with Inside Time on this issue and I feel it is something that should be pushed for in penal reform.
Flo says Hi to the bearded one
of course prisoners should be entitled to have mobile phones. Extortionate BT costs need not even provide the justification for this (although this may be a useful argument in a legal forum except that the authorities may then decide to bring the costs down) since there is a strong case for access to a phone unfettered and unlimited. Nobody can get in touch with a prisoner when they want to or need to. Lawyers and close family members have absolute and fundamental needs to communicate with their clients/loved ones but are simply unable to. Then when they do get a call it is at a certain time, at a massive cost to the prisoner and for a limited duration only without any safeguards as to confidentiality. Do we need any more argument for prisoners to be allowed to have mobile phones?
Flo
PS: when will the bearded one become the clean shaven one?
x
thebeardedone is now close-cropped and humanish, thanks to a new partner. X
I disagree. Prison authorities should be able to monitor all calls inbound or outbound.
It won't be long before there are calls for wi-fi hotspots in prison.
Prisons are not hotels.
No one taking part in an adult debate should ever use slogans such as "prisons are not hotels". They suggest a lack of thought and reveal a profound lack of knowledge of imprisonment.
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