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Massachusetts becomes fifth state to make prison calls free

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264 points toomuchtodo | 3 comments | 29 Nov 23 02:33 UTC | HN request time: 0s | source
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glenjamin ◴[29 Nov 23 12:39 UTC] No.38458643[source]▶
I once attended an internal presentation while working for the UK's Ministry of Justice.

A large number of contraband mobile phones had been confiscated, and a team performed some data analysis to see what they'd been used for.

The overwhelming conclusion was that the phones had been primarily used to keen in touch with family.

There's also a whole bunch of research that showed that maintaining ties with the outside world while incarcerated led to reduced rates of reoffending (and the inverse was also true - isolation led to increased rates).

Allowing free phone calls in and out of prisons makes a lot of sense both socially and economically.

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immibis ◴[29 Nov 23 13:03 UTC] No.38458817[source]▶
But the purpose of the prison system isn't to improve society and economics.
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LadyCailin ◴[29 Nov 23 13:10 UTC] No.38458884[source]▶
This is an absolutely bizarre take. Even if you’re all for the pure punitive aspect of it, why would you not want to improve society and the economics? Are you Kim Jong Un or something? I’m genuinely confused how any reasonable argument can be made here, regardless on your stance towards the prisoners themselves.
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jghn ◴[29 Nov 23 13:15 UTC] No.38458935[source]▶
They didn’t say they support the status quo.
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1. SteveNuts ◴[29 Nov 23 13:22 UTC] No.38459005[source]▶
Then they should elaborate on their point because their comment sounds like they do.
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2. jghn ◴[29 Nov 23 16:06 UTC] No.38461161[source]▶
I interpreted it as snarking on the current state of affairs. By and large, in the US the point of the prison system is *not* rehabilitation or providing benefit to society. It's about lining the pockets of wealthy people and keeping the downtrodden in that position. And that sucks, but stating it as a matter of fact doesn't mean one supports it.
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3. SteveNuts ◴[29 Nov 23 20:43 UTC] No.38465030[source]▶
That's definitely how I interpreted it also, but the comment definitely buries the lede at least