Should Prisoners Be Allowed To Lift Weights?

[Massive123]

They do that too. The bastards got em workin 10 hour days of manual labor for $1 a day. The least the could do is let em bang out a few sets here & there.

They're already taken away from society & stripped of everything. With a system that's so flawed and rarely corrects much of anything, despite the name correctional facility, IMO getting prisoners in a new direction whether is be educationally, professionally, through learning a trade or even getting into the bodybuilding lifestyle-- this is HOW you "correct" someone- not by leaving them in a cell like an animal and treating them like non-humans. Clearly there's nothing that will work for everyone who's locked up, but offering a direction is EXACTLY what they need, otherwise most come out with nothing to turn to other than their old ways.

They are called correctional facilities for a reason. They're supposed to correct ones ways. If anything they should do more for inmates. It's not only about punishment....

 

[Ythrashin]

I think they should be able to lift weights.

Although they shouldn't have metal plates and just machines. They used metal plates in a prison riot once to bust through the walls and doors.

I was a CO for awhile and actually worked out with the inmates. They get pretty dang creative with their workouts. I actually got a few ideas from them...

 

[Ythrashin]

Bull shit! the criminal justice system is not about Rehab. It is there to keep the people who are a public safety problem out of the public. They don't put you in jail until you have transgressed on the safety of the public. In most cases this means violence. So making violent criminals stronger is just stupid

Depends on the criminal...

Its not black and white DPR. I met a lot of good kids that just fucked up...Sometimes they got into drugs and hard times.
Met a few that were over the age of 18 and screwed a 17 or 16 yr old and were sent to prison/jail for statutory rape. It was consensual sex at the time but either parents turned them in or the girl got pissed at em. Sometimes yes they were violent but others just were drunks,druggies, thieves or some other non violent crime.

 

[barnzy7]

They do that too. The bastards got em workin 10 hour days of manual labor for $1 a day. The least the could do is let em bang out a few sets here & there.

They're already taken away from society & stripped of everything. With a system that's so flawed and rarely corrects much of anything, despite the name correctional facility, IMO getting prisoners in a new direction whether is be educationally, professionally, through learning a trade or even getting into the bodybuilding lifestyle-- this is HOW you "correct" someone- not by leaving them in a cell like an animal and treating them like non-humans. Clearly there's nothing that will work for everyone who's locked up, but offering a direction is EXACTLY what they need, otherwise most come out with nothing to turn to other than their old ways.

They are called correctional facilities for a reason. They're supposed to correct ones ways. If anything they should do more for inmates. It's not only about punishment....

No doubt theres tons of people that shouldnt be in there. Drug dealers, Druggies, Drunks, dont deserve to be there. Thats why we are so f'ed up. A lot of these people are not bad people, they have a disease or problem that doing time will only make worse. There should be prison, where the true rapists and murderers go, and a rehabilitation center where people should need to serve time, but be able to recieve the counciling and medical help the need to get over their addiction. This people could def. use the gym, they need anything to substitute for drugs. but the other assholes are lucky they get to rot in the prisons when they dont deserve any better than to hang.

 

[Ythrashin]

No doubt theres tons of people that shouldnt be in there. Drug dealers, Druggies, Drunks, dont deserve to be there. Thats why we are so f'ed up. A lot of these people are not bad people, they have a disease or problem that doing time will only make worse. There should be prison, where the true rapists and murderers go, and a rehabilitation center where people should need to serve time, but be able to recieve the counciling and medical help the need to get over their addiction. This people could def. use the gym, they need anything to substitute for drugs. but the other assholes are lucky they get to rot in the prisons when they dont deserve any better than to hang.

I agree... You'd think this would be common sense. Nope...they just throw them all together.

 

[barnzy7]

I agree... You'd think this would be common sense. Nope...they just throw them all together.

its easier to look the other way, probably would cost more money then they want to spend as well.

Kind of random, but any of you hear about the guy in cali. who stole 1 donut from a store. They tried giving him 25yrs in prison and asked for the maximum punishment. From what I heard and read the max punishment for first time theft is 25 and they want to "send a message". Come on. 25 years for a donut?

I would love to personally find that prosecutor and show him what its like to ruin a life.

 

[Massive123]

Jails are filled with drug addicts which is a complete waste of tax money. Same with the 25 years for a doughnut. At appox $40,000 a year to house in inmate x 25 years = $1M doughtnut sentence. No wonder California is bankrupt.

In England the govt gives heroin to addicts so long as they partake in a rehab program that offers counseling & tries to ween then off the dope. Call them crazy but that's a LOT cheaper then spending millions to house dope fiends, offer no rehab, & who relapse as soon as they get out.

 

[barnzy7]

Amersterdam has a good system IMO. The call them ghettos but its a community that you can do any drug in. They give you the free needles, they have doctors and beds there. You have to be completely sober to leave and cant have anything on you. If you get caught outside with anything your face punishment. Something like this would save a lot of problems.

 

[Miss Muscle]

Lol....when I say rehabilitation, I mean the rehabilitation of offenders.

Yes we punish, but most developed legal systems have the goal of rehabilitation....that is rehabilitation of the offender prior to reintegration back into society.

Sadly this not the case at the moment... more often then not, but as populations continue to grow, it is necessary that criminal rehabilitation be addressed.

As for it been a luxury....they are already in prison...you know - deprivation of liberty and all that.

I meant rehabilitation of the offenders also. Not an actual "physical" rehabilitation.

I still think it is too much of luxury as well.

I should say I'm talking about federal prisons over provincial although I think both should not have weight rooms.

 

[drewbolic]

I meant rehabilitation of the offenders also. Not an actual "physical" rehabilitation.

I still think it is too much of luxury as well.

I should say I'm talking about federal prisons over provincial although I think both should not have weight rooms.

respectfully I agree to disagree..

 

[Miss Muscle]

Bull shit! the criminal justice system is not about Rehab. It is there to keep the people who are a public safety problem out of the public. They don't put you in jail until you have transgressed on the safety of the public. In most cases this means violence. So making violent criminals stronger is just stupid

Agreed. I think only 1/100 "strong criminals" will continue to be violent. However being a woman who really could not defend myself against that one it's enough to convince me.

 

[getfitdoc]

Jails are filled with drug addicts which is a complete waste of tax money. Same with the 25 years for a doughnut. At appox $40,000 a year to house in inmate x 25 years = $1M doughtnut sentence. No wonder California is bankrupt.

In England the govt gives heroin to addicts so long as they partake in a rehab program that offers counseling & tries to ween then off the dope. Call them crazy but that's a LOT cheaper then spending millions to house dope fiends, offer no rehab, & who relapse as soon as they get out.

Amersterdam has a good system IMO. The call them ghettos but its a community that you can do any drug in. They give you the free needles, they have doctors and beds there. You have to be completely sober to leave and cant have anything on you. If you get caught outside with anything your face punishment. Something like this would save a lot of problems.

Totally agree.

but our prisons are private, so they make a lot of money. it's one of the most profitable business there is.

War on drugs = a lot of money for prisons.

plus, a small town that allows a private company to build a prison makes a ton of money from it. it gives them jobs, and prisoners count as constituents in the town they are imprisoned in, which means more federal dollars for that town (and that congressman, and that senator, and that mayor).

prisons should be for violent offenders, people who steal, kill, or destroy.

 

[gator_mclusky]

I say give em weights. I couciled youths in Detention Centers and it was a great way for them to let off steam and get involved in a healthy lifestyle.

I'd say in Adult facilities yes as well because they know if they screw up the privelege will be taken from them.

gator

 

[mosh69]

Bull shit! the criminal justice system is not about Rehab. It is there to keep the people who are a public safety problem out of the public. They don't put you in jail until you have transgressed on the safety of the public. In most cases this means violence. So making violent criminals stronger is just stupid

Wow...i'm almost speachlesss.
I suppose trafficking in Marijuana is "Transgressing on the public"???
Have u any idea the perecentage of inmates in our nations prisons who are strictly drug offenders???
Do u have any knowledge of the hypocricy of our governments drug policy and the millions of pawns used to purport their schemes?

Agreed. I think only 1/100 "strong criminals" will continue to be violent. However being a woman who really could not defend myself against that one it's enough to convince me.

Seriously, where does this logic come from???
Does this make sense to anyone? Lol

 

[budthespud]

Wow....great thread. Lots of varying opinions here.
Coming from someone who's worked in the system, I think inmates should be provided the opportunity to maintain a certain level of fitness. The key word here is "maintain". I've seen scrawny 140 lb , crackheads go in and 6 months later emerge as 190 lb men !!
I think more emphasis should be placed on developing a healthy fit body, not a huge muscular body ! Instead of providing the opportunity to hit the weight pile an hour a day 7 days a week, other recreation should be organized and encouraged.....soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball etcc... are activities which will help build a more well-rounded person and provide for expanded interested and talents.

 

[barnzy7]

Wow...i'm almost speachlesss.
I suppose trafficking in Marijuana is "Transgressing on the public"???
Have u any idea the perecentage of inmates in our nations prisons who are strictly drug offenders???
Do u have any knowledge of the hypocricy of our governments drug policy and the millions of pawns used to purport their schemes?


Seriously, where does this logic come from???
Does this make sense to anyone? Lol

Good post. I agree.

 

[mosh69]

Wow....great thread. Lots of varying opinions here.
Coming from someone who's worked in the system, I think inmates should be provided the opportunity to maintain a certain level of fitness. The key word here is "maintain". I've seen scrawny 140 lb , crackheads go in and 6 months later emerge as 190 lb men !!
I think more emphasis should be placed on developing a healthy fit body, not a huge muscular body ! Instead of providing the opportunity to hit the weight pile an hour a day 7 days a week, other recreation should be organized and encouraged.....soccer, baseball, basketball, volleyball etcc... are activities which will help build a more well-rounded person and provide for expanded interested and talents.

Speaking from experience, alot of guys just arent interested in team sports especially in prison.
You rarely see football, basketball is just not an option for 99% of white inmates, soccer is predominately a latin sport, softball is still prevalent at some camps though.
An inmates free time should be just that, free time to be used (Hopefully) constructively.
If an hour on the weight pile frees his mind and conditions his body, fantastic!
I think once again the ugly "Hater gene" takes over in alot of circumstances.
In Florida the majority of correctional staff are fat lazy wife beating rednecks.
Sorry folks, it's a generalization but quite true.
And as for inmates getting huge in prison.
The quality and amount of food supplied to inmates is so paltry it really doesn't afford that option to the majority.
The only reason weights started being removed from prisons is because the everyday ignorant citizen on the street thinks inmates should be punished all day every day of their sentence, which is obviously counterproductive.
As for anyone who agrees with this, I SERIOUSLY hope u never find ureself in that hell on earth situation, or a loved one there.

 

[Miss Muscle]

Wow...i'm almost speachlesss.
I suppose trafficking in Marijuana is "Transgressing on the public"???
Have u any idea the perecentage of inmates in our nations prisons who are strictly drug offenders???
Do u have any knowledge of the hypocricy of our governments drug policy and the millions of pawns used to purport their schemes?


Seriously, where does this logic come from???
Does this make sense to anyone? Lol

Lol. This is why I started the post as the BBC posted an article on this. How ignorant of you not to understand. 80% of prisoners re-offend. 29% are in for violent crimes and of the 29%, 95% commit violence once again. Certain prisons now only let inmates with non-violent crimes use the weights. This is why I started this thread.

 

[Miss Muscle]

Speaking from experience, alot of guys just arent interested in team sports especially in prison.
You rarely see football, basketball is just not an option for 99% of white inmates, soccer is predominately a latin sport, softball is still prevalent at some camps though.
An inmates free time should be just that, free time to be used (Hopefully) constructively.
If an hour on the weight pile frees his mind and conditions his body, fantastic!
I think once again the ugly "Hater gene" takes over in alot of circumstances.
In Florida the majority of correctional staff are fat lazy wife beating rednecks.
Sorry folks, it's a generalization but quite true.
And as for inmates getting huge in prison.
The quality and amount of food supplied to inmates is so paltry it really doesn't afford that option to the majority.
The only reason weights started being removed from prisons is because the everyday ignorant citizen on the street thinks inmates should be punished all day every day of their sentence, which is obviously counterproductive.
As for anyone who agrees with this, I SERIOUSLY hope u never find ureself in that hell on earth situation, or a loved one there.

Mosh....did you serve a long sentence or just a few years. I'm guessing a couple years?

Was it a federal penitentiary?

As for prison staff being rednecks not in any of the prisons I have been in.

Us and Canada may have very different systems.

 

[drewbolic]

Lol. This is why I started the post as the BBC posted an article on this. How ignorant of you not to understand. 80% of prisoners re-offend. 29% are in for violent crimes and of the 29%, 95% commit violence once again. Certain prisons now only let inmates with non-violent crimes use the weights. This is why I started this thread.

shock media to scare woman and old folk to which is back by big money privatize prisons for mandatory minimal sentencing.Its all about the money and votes,winning the harts and minds of the majority voters.Some state have had a ten fold increase since the early 90s in prison population,these state like Texas and Florida that go red and have the greatest number of privatize prisons.

And its not ignorant to have a opinion on this matter its a debatable thread.