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"When there were five vendors, 77 books were available for purchase and 24 of the titles were coloring books." They've added a sixth vendor, but it doesn't say
by neaden 9y ago
"When there were five vendors, 77 books were available for purchase and 24 of the titles were coloring books." They've added a sixth vendor, but it doesn't say how many titles are available now.
I think this is truly shameful. I can't think of any good reason to deny inmates books with a few exceptions. Much like increased costs to make phone calls or replacing in person visits with expensive video-conferencing technology this is just another way to extract some money from prisons.
- Fej 9y agoI thought the same until I saw that this is being done by the state. Perhaps it is simply laziness. It's far easier to have a whitelist than a blacklist.
- zbyte64 9y agoSeriously! At least a for-profit prison would be sure to at least maximally charge the inmate for the privilege.
- StanislavPetrov 9y agoThis move is clearly about profits. The money being drained from these prisoners and their families goes to for-profit corporations. Have no doubt that those making the decision to implement this scheme are making profits, both directly and indirectly (Governor Cuomo among others). Kickbacks, campaign contributions, and payoffs (both now and in the future) are just a few of the ways. That's how business is done in New York (and elsewhere, but especially New York). https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/04/nyregion/corruption-trials-albany-silver-skelos.html https://www.nytimes.com/2017/10/04/nyregion/corruption-trial...
- gozur88 9y agoLaziness and CYA. Nobody wants to be the guy who didn't realize there was a useful section for making weapons, poisons, weakening bars, etc in a book he green-lighted.
- skissane 9y agoI wonder if this could violate RLUIPA [1], at least with respect to religious books. An inmate's personal religious practice may include reading books about their religion. The selection of religious books available from these vendors is likely very small if not non-existent. This is especially the case if the inmate follows a minority religion. (And, reading books about one's religion, as a religious practice, can't be limited to just reading one's religion's scriptures.) [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_Land_Use_and_Institutionalized_Persons_Act https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_Land_Use_and_Institu...