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 and 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 new skills.

What do you think?

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

My thoughts -

I think prisoners (especially ones who commit serious crimes) are in prison to be punished, not to learn an art, play PS3 and/or generally have a good time...

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.

Ok, I will present you with two scenarios.

A. A man gets involved in crime during his school days, he goes to jail without an education. Whilst in jail he gets punished. When he leaves he gets involved in crime again because he can't get a job.

B. A man gets involved in crime during his school days, he goes to jail without an education. Whilst in jail he gets another chance at his GCSEs, which he takes. When he leaves he gets a job using his new skills and doesn't turn to crime again.

I would rather have the latter.

...

I do think agree with you that luxuries like Playstations should be kept to a minimum though.

If by minimum you mean zero, then I agree =P

Learning to play the guitar is a lot different than learning English, Maths, History Etc... Or even trade skills if they haven't done anything too serious.

Learning to play the guitar is IMO a luxury (although you could argue being taught anything is a luxury) just like having for example, PS3's, and i think it shouldn't be allowed.

Murderers, Rapists... Etc. IMO don't deserve any luxury treatment. No matter what the age.

He could become a guitar teacher...

I do believe prisoners should be taught skills in prison so they can fit into society when they get released rather than go back to crime. Learning to cook would have been a better option then guitar in my opinion.

I'm all for re-educating prisoners, but "luxury" options should definitely be kept to a minimum. Allowing prisoners to play videogames or something like that (things with no educational purpose basically) should be out of the question, no matter what, but I think something like guitar lessons can be used as a reward. I don't know this specific case, but if this man was allowed guitar lessons because he is well behaved and doing good in actual education, then let him have those guitar lessons I say.

If I knew more about why he gets these lessons, I'd tell you if I think it's appropriate.

I actually had to save up lunch money for the first 3 months of my guitar lessons (until my parents decided that 3 months was enough to see whether I'd drop out of it). :/

I don't have a problem with prisoners getting education in jail. Unemployment and poverty are the main drivers of crime. Therefore, if you can fix those 2 things of said criminals, you give them a good chance to succeed in the world.

I know a few churches that focus on education centers for recently out of jail inmates that don't have anywhere to do - they've had incredible results for said inmates not returning to jail.

HOWEVER, I don't see how learning the guitar is really going to be the most profitable skill for employment. Such luxuries should not exist in jail.