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UK Prisons Restrict Video Game Use

by Peter Mychalcewycz on July 31, 2008 at 09:47 PM

nintendo!

Prisons in the UK and Wales banning prisoners from playing any video games rated 18.

The ban accompanies a group of new restrictions placed on an increasingly overcrowded prison system. Now, only those who show good behavior or who are suicidal will have access to video games, but they have to purchase the gaming consoles themselves. The Prison Reform Trust stated that video games were "no substitute for purposeful activity like work or education classes." Well and arrogantly said, ol' chaps!

We get it, they are trying to implement a system where good behavior is rewarded and bad behavior is punished. Seriously, though, how much of an incentive/punishment is this really? You have an environment that is overcrowded and full of career criminals. They spend every day either in fear of their life or fighting to protect it. Drugs are rampant, violence is the norm, and each jail is rife with corruption. Yes, let's take away their video games.

That'll show 'em. [Source: BBC]

Tags: bans, crime, jail

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