Games in Prisons

[Ailer]

Apparently in Oregon they are allowing inmates to purchase small video game machines through the value of the chores they do.

More from the BBC (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/4818128.stm)

The game gadgets were part of the so-called quality of life incentives that try to make prisoners "gravitate toward the pro-social behaviours critical to successful transition back to the community".

Statistics show that trouble in Oregon's state prisons has declined following the introduction of the gadget incentives.

Over the past three years the incidence of misconduct reports, assaults on warders and fights between inmates has declined, even though the numbers of prisoners has increased.

[Salesmunn]

Prisoner Crossing...

[The Continental]

I hear those Grand Theft Auto games are pretty popular. I'd suggest they give those a try.

[Heretic Machine]

I can see how this is a good thing. Positive reinforcment has always worked better than punishment.

[Evil Avatar]

Excellent idea. I'm all in favor of giving inmates something additional that they can use to trade for their drugs. :rolleyes:

[51|RandoM]

Being stuck in a small cell playing video games all day is one of my favorite passtimes.

[Ailer]

I hear those Grand Theft Auto games are pretty popular. I'd suggest they give those a try.

I really must request you read the article.

Or tell me if you are being sarcastic.

[Nim]

...although shortly after Animal Crossing was made available to prisoners, violence dramatically increased.

[Cubfan]

I totally would not rape my cellmate if I just had a gameboy to play.

[Paranoia]

The Convicts....

[The Continental]

I totally would not rape my cellmate if I just had a gameboy to play.

Better yet, give it your cellmate so he'll stop buggin ya for a reach around.

[51|RandoM]

Better yet, give it your cellmate so he'll stop buggin ya for a reach around.

maybe all of those reach arounds were just a futile search for the elusive gameboy micro?

[phantomhitman]

wow, keep the jokes coming

[screwtape]

I can see the headlines now: Convicted murderer learned how to murder cellmate by playing murder-simulating videogame

[F3nyx]

Hey, they're saying that video games promote "pro-social behaviours"... what a strange way to get great press.

[Steele Johnson]

The most popular game in prison: The Sims.

[Com_Gaunt]

I can see how this is a good thing. Positive reinforcment has always worked better than punishment.

I agree totally, basically the prison system is teaching some values that probably most of the prisoners never received or understood: That behaving in an acceptable manner yields rewards.

Most "good" parents try to teach that to their kids early on... if you behave you get rewarded, if you act up you get a spanking.

[Derwin]

...the numbers of prisoners has increased.

people are getting themselves arrested because Ohio State Prison has Oblivion.

[Grimmjow]

this is interesting but im curious on what games there letting inmates play...i hope not no GTA :)

[Neosho]

They are also given the chance to buy the game gadget which costs $35. The graphics in the 50 games stored on the gadget resemble those seen in mid-1980s consoles. The titles of games on the DreamGear gadget include Star Ally, Smart Escape, Dragon Poker and Space Castle.

The games date from the Pac-man era of gaming.

There. 123445556667

[Kyle Jones]

I love living here in Lil' Canada!

[Oddmaker]

They should rot!!

[southwick]

Does anyone else find it ironic that some of us do "chores" ie, have a real job, and can't afford these items. Yet we pay taxes that pay for state prisons, so that prisoners can do "chores" and get them for free.

That new gameboy you wanted..welp you just bought it for a prisoner.

(yes I am aware they are not actually giving them gameboys, but they are giving them TV's that cost more than the one I use at home. You know, my 11 year old TV.)

[Grimmjow]

They should rot!!

not all people in jail are badass criminals, there alot of people there for bullshyt like traffic matters and so fourth

[if76]

Does anyone else find it ironic that some of us do "chores" ie, have a real job, and can't afford these items. Yet we pay taxes that pay for state prisons, so that prisoners can do "chores" and get them for free.

That new gameboy you wanted..welp you just bought it for a prisoner.

(yes I am aware they are not actually giving them gameboys, but they are giving them TV's that cost more than the one I use at home. You know, my 11 year old TV.)

Yeah prison's great. You get to live in a 4 person cell built for 2, eat the shittiest food possible. Oh and the rape? A recent study said that prisoners dont' get "raped" at all. Instead they "exchange sexual favors for protection".

God forbid they should have the priveledge of buying a cerca 1980's videogame system with the 50cents/hour they earn from washing the prison and working in the kitchen.

[OrangePulp]

Sweet. My state FTW. If I ever go to jail, I have something to look forward to.

[A Lusty Alien]

Hmmm...

I suspect the reduction in violence and misconduct was not the result of prisoners trying to behave. Instead, I think that the videogames is focusing the attention of the inmates on the game, causing them to isolate themselves and interact less with one another.

Brilliant!

Not only are you imprisoning them physically, now you have them voluntarily putting themselve in the solitary confinement of their minds.

Mua-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!!

[Ultima Thulian]

I agree with Perigon. While prisoner's shouldn't be dealt with lightly, it is important to reinforce positive, pro-social behavior. Otherwise, the chances of an inmate repeating his crimes again once released are likely increased. Hell, it is just a cheap gadget that plays old 80's games. So what? I've heard of some prisons letting inmates play with PS2s and SNESs.

[southwick]

Yeah prison's great. You get to live in a 4 person cell built for 2, eat the shittiest food possible. Oh and the rape? A recent study said that prisoners dont' get "raped" at all. Instead they "exchange sexual favors for protection".

God forbid they should have the priveledge of buying a cerca 1980's videogame system with the 50cents/hour they earn from washing the prison and working in the kitchen.


That's why I didn't break the law, I realize that doing something illegal would be met with a punishment.

BTW I never said it was a bad thing, but the irony is still very present.

[SalopGirl]

Ohhh now this scares the hell out of me....I think if in prison they should be working on rehabilitating themselves not figuring out whether two smg's or one smg and a hand gun is better to kill multiple people. Lets not go into all of the slaying options, they will now be able to entertain their minds with. What the fuck is Oregon thinking. Gaming is for those in there right mind. (or at least thinking they are) We stay camped in front of a tv for ours playing our favorites by choice. I would say once in the correctional system, work on some of your issues play the games when you get out!

[Achilles]

Take away all their workout equipment and give them a computer with a copy of WoW, then just have one inmate server that they can all play on but nobody else can access.

The social dynamic that would develop would be awesome. Old gangs would dissolve and new ones would form around horde and alliance, and people would get knifed over ninja-ing epic gear. Kinda like Korea.

If they’re sent to solitary make them play Asheron’s Call 2.

In all seriousness they really should give the prisoners something to do other than enhance their ability to overpower their fellow man.

[01010]

Ohhh now this scares the hell out of me....I think if in prison they should be working on rehabilitating themselves not figuring out whether two smg's or one smg and a hand gun is better to kill multiple people. Lets not go into all of the slaying options, they will now be able to entertain their minds with. What the fuck is Oregon thinking. Gaming is for those in there right mind. (or at least thinking they are) We stay camped in front of a tv for ours playing our favorites by choice. I would say once in the correctional system, work on some of your issues play the games when you get out!


There's this thing in your head called a brain yeah, and decoding your post made me realise that you are not using yours properly.

[SalopGirl]

Try another reward like ummmmmmmmmmm a peice of cake.

[SalopGirl]

When your ready go ahead and expand on your comment....

[SalopGirl]

If prisonemrs Crossing ever makes it big you should get a kick back... that was funny.

[dr_wily]

this was in my home pape awhile back.. not a bad idea really.. keep them occupied and being on good behavior for a treat is a good thing.

[SalopGirl]

this is interesting but im curious on what games there letting inmates play...i hope not no GTA :)
Great question i would be extremely curious....

[nonchalance]

Great question i would be extremely curious....

The graphics in the 50 games stored on the gadget resemble those seen in mid-1980s consoles.

The titles of games on the DreamGear gadget include Star Ally, Smart Escape, Dragon Poker and Space Castle.

I really like this idea. The point of prisons should not merely be punishment, but rehabilitation.

[01010]

I really like this idea. The point of prisons should not merely be punishment, but rehabilitation.

I agree completely. Not only that but the article explicitly states that it already appears to be working, I don't see what there is to complain about.

[SalopGirl]

Just read the original article again...Ok so the brain i was not using is well back in place and thank you for pointing it out.

[01010]

Well, I wasn't expecting that. A mature attitude on a gaming forum. Cool :)

[MosBen]

Yeah, honestly I don't know how anyone could be against this. It is reducing violence in prison through means other than simply strapping everyone down to a bed. That's a good thing.

[Neosho]

I like the way i quoted the games that are being played in my post, and yet we still end up with people wondering about what games they're playing.

[Steele Johnson]

Video games promote violence in prison. :D

[bean19]

Does anyone else find it ironic that some of us do "chores" ie, have a real job, and can't afford these items. Yet we pay taxes that pay for state prisons, so that prisoners can do "chores" and get them for free.

That new gameboy you wanted..welp you just bought it for a prisoner.

(yes I am aware they are not actually giving them gameboys, but they are giving them TV's that cost more than the one I use at home. You know, my 11 year old TV.)

lol.

They do work that lowers the cost of maintaining prisons or provides a service for communities via cheap labor and probably get paid less than a dollar/hour.

It gives them something to do besides hurting each other, and it rewards them for working. If this stops just one stabbing victim from needing a surgery and follow-up medical care, it will save the prisons money.

Good program. I hope it expands.

[Schnoogs]

Leave it to Oregon...I'm surprised we even have prisons here...they don't seem to fit in with the politically correct agenda.

"Its not a prison...its a happy camp where everyone gets hugs all day long!"

[KamaItachi]

I will admit, from the title of the article, I was ready to gnash my teeth and shake my fists in bitter, conservative rage. In reality I think this is a very good programme and I'd like to see this sort of thing extended to other prison systems and other rehabilitation programmes.

[BigMike20VT]

I can see how this is a good thing. Positive reinforcment has always worked better than punishment.

great, so i can rape and murder your mother (hypothetically) then go inside and get to sit on my ass and play games all day.

fecking crazy.

If you ask me the Yanks had it right years ago, get em out in a chain gang doing the menial work that normally there is no money to employ people to do.

In England our Rail Network needs a complete overhaul but there is no money to do it.

theres summat to keep their minds occupied for a few years.

[BigMike20VT]

<deleted due to other message>

[BigMike20VT]

not all people in jail are badass criminals, there alot of people there for bullshyt like traffic matters and so fourth


Indeed, and after reading many of the posts on here, i accept some of the points maybe i was a bit rash in my other replies.......... however i STILL think that generally speaking prisoners seem to get a pretty easy time of it.

i still reckon chain gangs are a good idea for menial tasks, but maybe 30 mins of moon patrol as a reward isnt so bad at the end of the day ;)

I guess i am just bitter having seen the fantastic arm of the law in action, totally ignoring scally gits causing grief, but quick to jump on the back of the person who uses their own retrobution in desperation

[jwbxx]

Good give them videogames and take away the weights. I dont see the point in giving convicts weight lifting equipment, so they can leave prison twice as strong?

[Neosho]

Did you read the fucking article? Anyone? They have to not fuck up for a year and a half to gain the privledge of buying a game system. That's a damn long time.

As whoever said, if they're playing videogames rather than shanking one another or pulling American History X shower scenes, then why the hell not? Let the bastards play videogames, it's less money than patching them up after they require 9 stitches up their ass.

[Ultima Thulian]

Did you read the fucking article? Anyone? They have to not fuck up for a year and a half to gain the privledge of buying a game system. That's a damn long time.

As whoever said, if they're playing videogames rather than shanking one another or pulling American History X shower scenes, then why the hell not? Let the bastards play videogames, it's less money than patching them up after they require 9 stitches up their ass.

Agreed. I think people underestimate just how tough a prison can be. If a person is truly guilty, then take them to prison. Punishment is deserved. But positive reinforcement is needed if we wish to see improvement. Jesus, didn't we abondon the dark ages centuries ago? Being as some people here can't read, I guess not.

[bean19]

Good give them videogames and take away the weights. I dont see the point in giving convicts weight lifting equipment, so they can leave prison twice as strong?

Working out also lowers the risk of violent crime in jail and has oddly enough proven to reduce recidivism.

If this stops one stabbing victim in prison (just one), then it will more than pay for itself.