Re-educating prisoners

[Sqrl]

highwaystar101 said:

Ok, so my brother bought a copy of the Sun. The front page story was an article saying how the murderer of James Bulger gets guitar lessons in jail and was showing outrage at how his guitar lessons were paid for by the tax payer.

I feel as though they are missing the point. We found out long ago that re-educating prisoners stops them from committing crimes when they are released, giving them a trade or skills they can use to get a job. As opposed to being released with no skills getting involved with the world of crime all over again because it is the world they know.

I think complaining about a prisoner getting guitar lessons is very short sighted. In the long term it would be beneficial for all parties if the prisoner were to learn a new skills.

What do you think?

(admittedly, the article did imply that it helps him towards the end.)

I don't have so much problem with them learning a trade skill (though I'm of the opinion part of learning that skill should involve a job where they actually earn some cash - some of which they should get when released, some of which should go towards reimbursing the state for their incarceration and education).  Honestly I think getting them involved in steady work, and the responsibilities that go with it, prior to their release is pretty important in its own right.  I don't think it is at all unreasonable to ask them to reimburse the state for the extra financial burden required to reform and reeducate them, even if we don't get back 100% of our expenses just the act of paying their way builds a sense of pride and duty that is pretty beneficial to their rehabilitation anyways.

But things like lfting weights, playing guitar, watching premium cable channels, etc... I don't exactly see as fitting that bill. 

Even so I think they should have to be recognized as being well-behaved and making an effort to reform before being granted this kind of priveledge.  And it is a priveledge.