Prison Book Ban To End ?

[mikey4444]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27304228

Looks like this most hateful rule change will be challenged in Court, and not before time. I have made my stand quite clear but what do we all think here on AB ?

[LyndaB]

I hope the ban is overturned. The idea that anyone should be prevented from reading books - no matter what they've done - is abhorrent to me. If anyone wants to smuggle drugs into prison they will find a way, I'm sure.

[joggerjayne]

It was ridiculous.

Prisoners should be encouraged to read as much as possible.

[kvalidir]

Chris Grayling is a vile creature, this is a vile policy and the sooner it is overturned the better. If rehabilitation in prison works ( and I have seen that it can), then we need to do everything we possibly can to ensure each prisoner has access to reading material that will fire their desire to be something more than they presently are when they are released. I think if this horrible scheme is allowed to stand you will see far more suicides, self harming,general violence and unrest throughout prisons, so it will be totally counter productive to the aim of rehabilitation. I hope these court attempts are successful.

[youngmafbog]

Prisoners are not banned from reading though are they?

The answer is perhaps to increase the prison library.

We have to stop contraband, particularly drugs getting into prisons. The book ban from outside is a way to do this.

[youngmafbog]

//Chris Grayling is a vile creature//

As opposed to prisoners who are shining lights of society?

[Old_Geezer]

I find it difficult to believe one can not check a book for contraband before allowing a prisoner to have it.

[youngmafbog]

You may have to pull it right apart and I am pretty sure we would be up in front of the ECHR pretty quick defending the poor darlings rights.

The answer, as I say, is to provide a proper prison library.

Buy books not playstations.

[paddywak]

I might be in the minority but I believe Jail is where people are sent to be punished for their crimes against society and if that includes a ban on books its tough.If they weren't criminals they'd be free to walk down to a library or book shop when ever they wanted.

[mikey4444]

So do I OG...well said.

I can't imagine life without books. I have been reading for pleasure since before I went to school and I am 61 shortly. A book is a good friend. But I am not shut up in a cell for 23 hours a day. Most of the men in gaol have learning/literacy problems, so curtailing their reading habits can only interfere with any attempt to improve themselves.

I wish any Court action every success, and if anyone knows how I and others can help, I would be only too glad to know.

[Old_Geezer]

It is also a place where society tries to rehabilitate them so they can become a decent citizen when they come out, paddy. One should not try to compromise one aim by going overboard with the other.

[anotheoldgit]

/// "She is an epilepsy sufferer, very highly qualified and she has said her life is in despair without access to these books, which have really been taking her through this life sentence that she will serve," she said. ///

She should haver thought about that before she committed the crime for which she is now serving a life sentence for.

/// Lawyers for the woman argue that the effects of the policy are particularly hard felt by women who depend on what they receive from the outside world to keep them motivated. ///

Why are women any different from men in this respect?

If this ban can help to reduce the amount of drugs now getting into our prisons then this has got to be a good idea and as it has been reported their are still prison libraries and the opportunity to buy books with money earned.

[kvalidir]

''//Chris Grayling is a vile creature//

As opposed to prisoners who are shining lights of society?''

No I don't suppose for one moment they are but they have not put themselves forward as being people in charge of the rehabilitation of others. Chris Grayling has, and then made damaging populist decisions which will actually make sure that the prisoners he is in charge of are not in fact rehabilitated at all but will remain a problem to our society when released. Based on that alone he is dim and unsuited for purpose at best and a disgusting philistine at worst.

[ludwig]

It does seem a stupid thing to ban. I suppose books must be a particularly easy thing to secrete drugs in, but surely each prison can afford a sniffer dog each?

[ummmm]

They use sniffer dogs when you visit.

[ludwig]

I don't see the problem then ummmm. Surely everything arriving in the prison, books included can be checked.

[jno]

what OG says, though I suppose you'd have to be wary of the books printed on hemp.

[anotheoldgit]

mikey4444

/// I can't imagine life without books. ///

No one is depriving them of books there are prison library faculties.

I can't imagine being without a lot of things, such as the freedom to walk in the park or countryside, but these are the things one must expect to no longer be able to do when one is sent to prison.

/// Most of the men in gaol have learning/literacy problems, so curtailing their reading habits can only interfere with any attempt to improve themselves. ///

Once again no one is curtailing their reading habits, if they wish to improve their reading skills there are plenty of books available and I am sure reading classes for those with learning difficulties.

You are making far too much about this, there are much more important things you should be campaigning for, reducing the prison population for one.

[B00]

Don't understand why this is an issue?

They have prison libraries don't they? If they wanted to read a particular book, surely the library (like any other) would do their best to obtain a copy?

[kvalidir]

AOG- I think that's the point we 'pro books for prisoners' people are trying to underline- that we believe that books sent in to prisons do in fact rehabilitate and are therefore key to people not returning to prison.

[Brenden]

Surely prisoners could work and pay for the books they want or restock the prison library, having seen how devious people can be at hiding drugs (I have know of people kissing and passing drugs from mouth to mouth) supply all reading material inhouse. I also am an avid reader and could not imagine being without my books and kindle.