southee wrote:Quichey wrote:Not sure what the issue is here. They are replacing redundant technology, the cost will be fully recovered and it will improve security. Am I missing something?
Improve security??? What a load of rubbish.....the tax payer (you and I) are paying for rapists, murderer's and child abusers to have the flat screen digital TV's..
While we are at it...throw in a playstation, HD recorder and a surround sound system.
It's a joke.
It's an emotive argument, but not a rational one. What % of the population at those particular prisons are made up of murderers, rapists and child abusers? Violent crime only makes up fraction of the population, most are doing time for property crimes and drug offences.
Which means that most prisoners go in and come out at some stage. Going to prison itself is a dehumanising experience, regardless of what 'luxuries' you think they might have. It is in the best interests of society to minimise the dehumanisation of prisoners because they will re-enter society at some point. Do you really want prisoners going in and coming out completely disconnected from society? "You go to prison as punishment, not for punishment".
If you're interested in learning more regarding the philosophy of incarceration I can suggest reading Foucault's
Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison.