Do they have access to the internet? I’m sure they have to earn this right, and when they do how are they censored?
It seems to me that the internet wouldn’t be much different that snail mail. Except faster of course.
Inmates in the state of Wisconsin do not get internet access.
Some few here do get access to a very limited intranet system with very restricted applications.
I can’t speak for other states or the feds. But since a lot of our boys (and a few girls) are with us for committing crimes via the net (typically pedophilia or medicare and other insurance fraud) I feel secure in saying the average convicted felon does not have much if any legitimate access while incarcerated.
Now, illicit access via smartphones, etc is a whole different issue.
I think the security issues would far outweigh any possible benefit from allowing inmates access to the internet. I’d be really surprised to see it.
I know someone in a maximum security facility in Missouri. They don’t get Internet. Hell, they don’t get cable TV, and if they want TV at all, they have to use their prison earnings to buy their own, and it’s the first privilege taken away if they misbehave.
Also, all their correspondence (incoming and outgoing) is subject to approval and/or censorship, which is considerably more difficult with the Internet.
Illinois uses telemed to cut down on doctor costs in prison. Prisoners often see a doctor via the web. Some states like Kansas allow certain classes of prisoners access.
We do that in Wisconsin, but mainly for specialist consultation. Still gotta lay hands on for most primary care problems.
No internet access for inmates in NY state prisons.
Thanks, all. But don’t they have rehabilitation programs that include the ‘Net’?, teaching someone to build websites or learn code? I think making license plates (or whatever) will rehabilitate anyone much for job preparation after prison.
Our vocational rehab programs are designed to teach the skills in demand in our state by local employers: Agricultural workers, manufacturing jobs, meat packing, wood pulping, basic custodial skills, etc. These employers have a track record of hiring convicted felons after their release, and even hire some for day work while they’re still incarcerated but anticipating eventual release.
The IT community locally has not been clamoring to hire former inmates with entry-level computer skills.
Missouri will teach inmates computer repair, but they can’t use it to go on the 'Net.
Is there that much scrofula these days?