ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Maximum Security Inmates In Queensland Want Xboxes, Barista Courses And M15+ Movies

Maximum Security Inmates In Queensland Want Xboxes, Barista Courses And M15+ Movies

They say it will reduce violence and drug use inside the jailhouses.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

When you hear about someone being sent to jail, nearly every time it's because they've done something wrong and deserve just punishment.

Depending on the crime, you expect them to stay in there and think about what they've done.

But if you're in jail for a couple of years, or even decades, thinking can only go on for so long until you're unbelievably bored and you go looking for other forms of entertainment.

PA

So prisoners in some of Queensland's maximum security prisons have made the bold request for Xbox consoles, courses in how to make coffee and movies that aren't just fluffy, fun Disney ones that came out at the turn of the century.

According to WA Today, the current environment inside these jailhouses gives no incentive to be good and, in turn, violence often erupts.

So, as a way to combat this as well as drug use in the prison system, inmates have asked for a few luxuries to kelp them pass the time.

One prisoner made a submission to the Queensland Productivity Commission's inquiry into reducing imprisonment and recidivism.

PA

In it, he said: "In years past, inmates were able to smoke, buy adult magazines, purchase game consoles or computers. Each of these small luxuries has been removed, creating a volatile environment and leaving inmates with few ways in which to pass the time.

"Although the overcrowding is a significant issue for both the prison system and society generally, many inmates see the conditions under which we are housed as being of far greater importance than the issue of overcrowding."

He says at the very least introducing some gaming consoles would help morale and ease some of the tension.

I don't know if this guy has played video games in a while, but we can assure this bloke that they can cause just as many arguments between players as anything else. But still, this prisoner reckons they should be able to buy their own TVs and DVD players to help pass the time.

He was backed up by another inmate, who also wrote a submission.

PA

"All inmates in Queensland's prisons are above the age of 15 years and we feel we should be permitted to view, or at least listen to, MA content," he said.

"Prisoners spend most of the day confined to the common area with no constructive activities to occupy their time. I have seen people actively try and start fights between other prisoners just for a bit of entertainment."

You can imagine the pushback these requests would get from the general public, however another submission offered something that most people could get behind: teaching these people valuable skills that they could use when they get out.

"More courses should be offered to prisoners to stop recidivism by giving them real-world skills that can offer actual change in their lives," one woman said.

She added those serving shorter sentences could be taught how to make coffee or carry plates so they might be able to get some hospitality work when they're released.

Featured Image Credit: sevensixfive/Creative Commons

Topics: News, Australia