Providing supervised Internet access could help in rehabilitation and reduce relapses. By Christopher Zoukis Access to the Internet and computers largely dominate the lives of most people in many countries around the world. More than 45 percent of the world’s population has an Internet connection at home, that’s almost 4 billion people. In the United States, 75 percent of people are online. Most developed countries can also access the Internet outside the home at workplaces, schools, and libraries, and many people can connect using multiple devices. We have never been so connected, have had access to so many resources, and have communicated so well with each other. From accessing free online college courses to being able to keep in touch with old friends or distant family members, it’s hard to imagine not having regular access to the people in our lives, let alone unlimited entertainment in the form of apps, games, and videos. Internet access is now considered so fundamental that in 2011 the United Nations declared Internet access a fundamental right, stating that connectivity is important for democracy, freedom of expression, communication, and open government. While this is a non-binding resolution, it reflects the essential nature of the Internet and how fundamental it is to our daily selves. But not everyone has equal access, despite the growing importance of digital literacy and its recognition as a human right in our increasingly globalized world. Populations with limited access include those living in developing countries, where Internet usage is much lower than in the United States, people living in areas without necessary infrastructure, and other groups such as B. Those currently incarcerated in the United States Joined. Most prisoners in the US do not have access to the Internet. Some institutions even penalize inmates whose families post online on their behalf. Some inmates have outsiders help them publish blogs and opinion pieces by dictating them over the phone or sending letters to friends or family. But others use contraband cell phones to illegally access the Internet. In some cases, prisoners have been severely punished for these activities and additional years in prison have been imposed. In an extreme case, a South Carolina inmate named Tyheem Harris was sentenced to 37 years in solitary confinement for making 38 Facebook posts, 23 years longer than his actual sentence. Some prisons allow inmates to access email on private, secure intranets. Some also allow limited access to tablets for a variety of purposes, such as: B. listening to music or providing educational programs; certainly a step in the right direction. However, time is often limited on tablets and other devices, and the fees for their use can cost inmates or their families a lot of money. As the world becomes more connected, should inmates have more access to the Internet and computers? There are concerns on this issue for those who view Internet access as a potential free-for-all that could lead to increased smuggling, access to pornography, threats to victims, or involvement in digital crime. However, these fears should be mitigated by the fact that digital technologies can be customized for any purpose and access to them can be strictly monitored and controlled in secure environments. Granting better internet access could give prisoners the opportunity to broaden their perspectives, connect with the world in meaningful ways, and learn basic digital skills that exist in the world and await them when they are released. You could also benefit them with important learning resources, including college and career courses and language skills. The Internet is a useful tool for self-improvement. Allowing access could contribute to inmates being better educated and trained, which has been shown to reduce recidivism rates. Done right, there is an opportunity to use this life-enriching technology without increasing staff or spending on things like physical classrooms, materials, or teachers. It would help prepare prisoners for reintegration into society by giving them a basic familiarity with the online world, making them less likely to reoffend. The internet could be a useful rehabilitation tool to improve inmates and prison communities, with the trickle-down effect of releasing more educated and equipped people into society. Christopher Zoukis is the author of College for Convicts: The Case for Higher Education in American Prisons (McFarland & Co., 2014) and Prison Education Guide (Prison Legal News Publishing, 2016). He can be found online at ChristopherZoukis.com, PrisonEducation.com and PrisonLawBlog.com
. How do inmates access social media?
Well, if the prisoners don’t have access to the Internet, how the hell do they get into social networks? I often refer to the Netflix show Orange is the New Black in my blog posts because that show had certain stories that were based on the truth.
If you’ve seen it, you might remember inmates getting their hands on cell phones that were smuggled into the facility. And some of the inmates posted on social networking sites. This is based on reality, as numerous inmates post on social media every day, and sometimes from their cell!