Why do prisons have weight lifting equipment?
Do we really want criminals to get stronger? Not to mention pay for it? Why are weight lifting equipment so prominent in prisons?
Public Comments
1. I imagine they are there because it gives the criminals something to do during the day. They could think of something that doesn't make them stronger though...2. So prisoners can manage their anger instead of taking it out on others.
3. It is suppose to keep the inmates occupied and reduce violence. I'd rather have them on the Xbos then on the bench press.
4. Now adays in prison, people have playstations! prisons are becoming more luxuary by the day! im not sure that its mainly weight lifting - but they probobly do have the chance to work out. Its quite bad really.. prison should be a place where they reflect, and the most luxury thing should be entitled to is a phone call!!
I spoke to someone who had just came out of prison (he had only been in for 2 months i think) and he said it wasnt bad atall - he had a nice room/cell and had access to playstation/tv etc etc.
5. I've often asked myself the same question. I know without weights convicts can still do strength exercises. They are in Prison to be punished not to become a weight lifter so they can return to society and use their added strength to easily get away with more crimes. Maybe I shouldn't look at this way but as the Prison system is turning out worse criminal than before they entered the system, it does make one question whether weights should be abolished. I, for one, am for eliminating weights in the Prison system. Actually, I have heard of some Prisons where they have taken weights away temporarily as punishment for a period of time. I do think it important to give prisoners liberties as they pay their debt to society but when a large percentage of Prison population seems to joins gangs, deals drugs, commit violence, order hits from the inside, create havoc, then I think it's time to see more reforms in the Prison system. From what I hear, there very well may be further reforms coming down in some of the Prisons.
6. I know it is outa order prisoners get a better life in prison than out side they get t.v, dinner cooked for them, weight lifting things as you say, ping pong tables. Its like a little club!
7. They still have the right to "maintain" their bodies and stay healthy. Get off your fckin high horse and realize that while they are there, they are paying their debt to society. Once out, they shouldn't be forever treated as a "criminal".
You're one of these people that get off on finding out where all the convicted child molesters and rapists are registered so you can make sure you live as far away from them as possible, aren't you?
Living in an 8' X 8' cell for 23 hours a day for 20 or more years seems punishment enough for me. And before you assume the wrong thing, I nor any family member of mine has ever served any time in any kind of confinement. Well, I take that back - I serve in my nation's military under sicko Bush. That in itself is a form of confinement. But back to the point - that is punishment enough. These are still human beings and should be treated with some form dignity and humanity. I have no problem with the weight lifting equipment, libraries, being able to get an education, etc. Not sure what good it does, though, since there are plenty of people like you out there who will treat them like sh*t AFTER they've already paid their dues.
H*ll, the top terrorists are at Guantanamo Bay getting some of the best medical treatment in world. DO YOU HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THAT? Or are you just mad that our own criminals aren't thrown in rat-infested basements and forced to eat their own legs?
For one thing, learn how to love ALL mankind, and put things in the proper perpsective.
8. They also have other sports and exercise equipment they just show off the weight pile to make them seem more scary and mean!
9. Actually, I think Prisons are realizing their mistake, in having weight lifting equipment, guys are coming out to strong for the police to handle. In the California State Pens, they took the weights out, I dont know about any other state.
10. Inmates burn off their energy by working out, this assists with the orderly running of an institution. Prisons maintain several programs to keep inmates busy. Prisons aren't designed to torture people ,they separate them from their families and society. The fences and guns keep them locked in but the programs and the officers that interact with the inmate population daily keep the assaults and disturbances to a minimum.
