FOR COMPUTER USE IN
PRISONS
By: Mark Corpora
Section 1055-007
THE CONTROVERSY
 There has been much debate over whether or not to allow
incarcerated inmates to have computer access in America’s
prison system
 Each state and the federal government have dif ferent
viewpoints on the subject. Some do in fact allow inmates
some form of restricted computer access while others restrict
the practice altogether.
 There are both advantages and disadvantages in allowing
inmates computer access within the prison system. Although
there are some significant negatives that could arise by
allowing inmates computer access, the positives clearly
outweigh the negatives and computer access must be granted
to the incarcerated individuals who populate America’s
correctional system.
HISTORY OF COMPUTERS IN PRISONS
 Computer use in prisons across America, and specifically
internet access, has up until recently been severely restricted
 Even today, there are many states that do not allow inmates
any form of internet access in prison
 Computer use in prison was primarily used for administrative
purposes prior to inmates being allowed access. Some
examples of the way computer were used for administrative
purposes include
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Court arraignments
Video visiting
Parole hearings
Prison industries
Telemedicine
Education programs
STATES THAT ALLOW PERSONAL
COMPUTER ACCESS
 Currently, there are only eight states and some federal
institutions that allow computer access for personal use
(“Computer Use…”). Listed below are the states that allow
computer access for personal use
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California
Connecticut
Iowa
Kansas (for word processing at some facilities)
Maine (limited)
Maryland (legal purposes for federal detainees only)
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
 Numerous state statutory prohibitions against inmates accessing
the Internet remain in force and were passed by state
legislatures at a time when the rapid development of technology
and infusion of educational resources were not readily foreseen
or clearly envisioned (Nink).
STATES THAT ALLOW PERSONAL
COMPUTER ACCESS
 However, the states that do not allow inmates personal access
do allow other forms of access, including
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For learning purposes
For commissary (food) account tracking
Allowed to receive, not send, emails
Work purposes
The booming technological
era has forced the correctional
system to rethink their
policies regarding computer
use and inmates
SOME REASONS AGAINST ALLOWING
PRISONS COMPUTER USE
 There are several intriguing arguments against allowing
inmates computer access.
 Security is the most compelling argument against prison computer
use. With internet access, inmates can correspond with the outside
work quickly and efficiently, plan escapes, research what other
inmates are in for, and plan gang hits
 Undeserved privilege is another argument. There are millions of
people in the United States go do not have or can afford computers.
Allowing prisoners computer use does not seem justified. Prison
should not have many, if any, privileges.
DEBUNKING THE ARGUMENTS AGAINST
COMPUTER USE IN PRISON
 Security and Underserved Privileges
 Any type of security threat in prison is significant. Not only does
each prison have the responsibility to keep the public safe from
felons, they must also keep the inmates safe as well. However, the
security risks computer access might bring about can quickly be
eliminated with strict monitoring of the inmates activity on the
computer. For example, the inmate can only access Word and other
educational/productive programs. Also, the inmate can only access
a pre-determined amount of sites verified by the Department of
Corrections
 Although inmates do not deserve many privileges, computer use is a
necessity privilege not only to allow and encourage productivity,
computer literacy is so important in today’s society that without it,
the inmate’s are set up to fail once re -entered back in society.
ARGUMENTS FOR PRISON COMPUTER
USE
 Computer Literacy
 Today’s society is built on computer use. Whether it be for work,
communication, or for fun, nearly everyone must have computer literacy
to survive. If inmates are not allowed to learn and develop their
computer skills, they cannot be expected to successfully reintegrate into
society and the recidivism rate will continue to rise. A study done found
that nearly three-quarters of prison inmates never before used a
computer (Harlow)
 Legal work
 By allowing inmates computer access, they will be able to successfully
and quickly research statutes and case law regarding their cases and
appeals. Further, computer access will allow inmates to defend
themselves better during trial or during the appeals process.
 Productivity
 Productive inmates undoubtedly make less violent and stressed inmates.
 Use computer access to benefit the institution. Have the inmates use the
computer to do menial tasks that can help the institution run more
smoothly.
ARGUMENTS FOR PRISON COMPUTER
USE
 Educational uses
 Many inmates are uneducated. They lack any of the skills that
society expects from their citizens. Computers can be virtual
teachers for inmates, educating them in all subjects without the need
for physical teachers
 Many inmates can attain GED’s while in prison through the use of
computers. In fact, studies have suggested that inmates who
received their GED in prison scored higher on reading skills tests than
citizens with the same educational background (Harlow).
 Below is a GED graduation ceremony for inmates in the Hawkins County Jail in Tennessee
ARGUMENTS FOR PRISON COMPUTER
USE
 Mail
 Thousands and thousands of mail go in and out of any specific prison
a week. By having inmates correspond electronically, it eliminates
the hassle of sifting through the paper mail for security purposes.
Mike Atwood, a financial trustee with the BOP (Bureau of Prisons),
created the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System (TRULINCS),
which allows inmates to send and receive written communication
through computers without being able to access the internet
(McBeth).
IDEAS FOR FUTURE USE
 Because computer access has so many advantages, and
because the internet is so flexible and diverse, allowing
inmates the right to computer access can both aid the
inmates rehabilitation while saving the prison system a lot of
money
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No teacher or instructor salary
No money spent on mail clerks
Inmates can work a variety of jobs not offered before
Medical costs could decrease due to less tension and stress by inmates
Granting inmates computer access is the right way!
IN THE FUTURE…
There will undoubtedly be a steady increase in
the number of computers in America’s prisons
and the amount of access allowed in the next
decade.
The law, corrections, and law enforcement
always seem to be a step behind in the ever
evolving technological world. It is only a
matter of time before the correctional system
adapts and allows inmates access to
computers across the nation
WORKS CITED
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 M c B et h , Co dy. " In n ovat ion a t Wo rk . " C o rre c t i o ns To d ay 7 3 . 3 ( 2 01 1 ):
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 Nink, Carl, et al. "Expanding Distance Learning Access in Prisons: A Growing Need."
Corrections Today 71.4 (2009): 40-3. Web.
http://web.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?sid=26e5d38d -d3a7-4c23-80f4c714f70e681d%40sessionmgr14&vid=1&hid=17&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZS
ZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=mth&AN=43827445