# Prisoners, State & Federal **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 19, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244 "2012-03-19T17:54:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/1 "2012-03-19T17:54:56Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/2 "2012-03-19T18:12:47Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/3 "2012-03-19T19:01:48Z")
> [@](#): > > The Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS) is a new program currently being deployed by the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide inmates with some limited computer access, to include the capability to send and receive electronic messages without having access to the Internet. This program is designed in part to assist in the inmate’s eventual release to the community. Electronic messaging has now become a standard form of communication within most American homes and businesses, and it can now be used to help inmates stay connected to their families. Strengthening or re-establishing family ties helps inmates improve the likelihood of a successful re-entry into the community, thus reducing the potential for recidivism. [http://www.bop.gov/inmate\_programs/trulincs\_faq.jsp](http://www.bop.gov/inmate_programs/trulincs_faq.jsp) ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/4 "2012-03-19T19:21:40Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/5 "2012-03-19T20:27:05Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Sethcrzygy86](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Sethcrzygy86](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sethcrzygy86)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/6 "2012-03-19T20:33:02Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/7 "2012-03-19T22:30:21Z")
> [@Sethcrzygy86](#): > > Illinois uses telemed to cut down on doctor costs in prison. Prisoners often see a doctor via the web. We do that in Wisconsin, but mainly for specialist consultation. Still gotta lay hands on for most primary care problems. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2012, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/8 "2012-03-19T23:26:58Z")
No internet access for inmates in NY state prisons. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 7:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/9 "2012-03-20T19:45:36Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 7:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/10 "2012-03-20T19:51:53Z")
> [@Jake](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/11 "2012-03-20T21:17:20Z")
> [@Jake](#): > > 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. Missouri will [teach inmates computer repair](http://doc.mo.gov/pressreleases/2012/20120229.pdf), but they can’t use it to go on the 'Net. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2012, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/prisoners-state-federal/616244/12 "2012-03-20T22:44:12Z")
> [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](#): > > We do that in Wisconsin, but mainly for specialist consultation. Still gotta lay hands on for most primary care problems. Is there that much scrofula these days?