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I'm not sure that total deregulation of the prison phone market is a good idea, but at least in the United States, the current solution is pretty outrageous [0]

I'm not sure that total deregulation of the prison phone market is a good idea, but at least in the United States, the current solution is pretty outrageous [0]. There is a a reasonable censoring role to be played by the prison (same as it is for mail), but like much else about prison system, seems served by rent-seekers [1]. [0] https://theintercept.com/2017/06/16/fcc-prison-phone-call-rates-court-deregulate-trump/ https://theintercept.com/2017/06/16/fcc-prison-phone-call-ra... [1] https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2017/11/20/indiana-prisons-tablets-offenders-inmates-department-correction/858322001/ https://www.indystar.com/story/news/crime/2017/11/20/indiana...

jopsen 9y ago
Is there reason for censoring? Most criminals don't have an empire to run from prison. I suspect there's very few prisoners where censoring makes any sense. Consider the cost and benefit, and the value of maintaining contact with friends and family. What exactly is the reasonable censorship role? I'm honestly curious..
- Fezzik 9y ago
  One circumstance: a lot of men* are in prison for domestic violence. The victims are often close to completely emotionally and mentally broken. The offenders often have equally manipulative friends who are not incarecerated. Allowing such prisoners unfettered phone access to 1) potentially contact victims or 2) contact friends to harass victims, seems like it is worth avoiding. Words can be very powerful and escaping the cycle of abuse is difficult. That was the first instance I thought of. I imagine there are many other where censorship makes sense. * this is the most common dynamic, violence perpetrated by men.
  - racer-v 9y ago
    There are already legal mechanisms such as a judge's order (not to mention technical methods) to address such cases. Banning every convict from using a phone is like swatting a fly with a Buick.
    - refurb 9y ago
      They should use phone access as a carrot. Good behavior? You get more access to a phone. Bad behavior? You don't.
styfle 9y ago
Thanks for the links. The Indy Star gave a Bad Gateway so I found the amp ariticle here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.indystar.com/amp/858322001 https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.indystar.com/amp/858322001

jopsen 9y ago

Is there reason for censoring? Most criminals don't have an empire to run from prison. I suspect there's very few prisoners where censoring makes any sense. Consider the cost and benefit, and the value of maintaining contact with friends and family. What exactly is the reasonable censorship role? I'm honestly curious..

Fezzik 9y ago
One circumstance: a lot of men* are in prison for domestic violence. The victims are often close to completely emotionally and mentally broken. The offenders often have equally manipulative friends who are not incarecerated. Allowing such prisoners unfettered phone access to 1) potentially contact victims or 2) contact friends to harass victims, seems like it is worth avoiding. Words can be very powerful and escaping the cycle of abuse is difficult. That was the first instance I thought of. I imagine there are many other where censorship makes sense. * this is the most common dynamic, violence perpetrated by men.
- racer-v 9y ago
  There are already legal mechanisms such as a judge's order (not to mention technical methods) to address such cases. Banning every convict from using a phone is like swatting a fly with a Buick.
  - refurb 9y ago
    They should use phone access as a carrot. Good behavior? You get more access to a phone. Bad behavior? You don't.

styfle 9y ago

Thanks for the links. The Indy Star gave a Bad Gateway so I found the amp ariticle here: https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.indystar.com/amp/858322001 https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.indystar.com/amp/858322001