PS2 'refunds' cause prison stir

Prisoners get cash for confiscated consoles

Debate surrounding prisoners' rights and the management of a British prison has kicked-off this week after it came to light that nine prisoners at Wakefield Prison were given 200 GBP each after their Playstation 2's were confiscated by guards. Apparently, the consoles were taken after it was discovered that some inmates were using them to play pornographic DVDs. Wakefield is a maximum security prison, and the PS2's were taken after pressure from a local MP for stricter controls.

Whilst some critics of the prison's management have stated that the 200 GBP is effectively 'compensation', the prison service affirm that they are simply 'refunding' prisoners, who purchased the consoles with their own money. Norman Brennan, chairman of the Victim of Crime Trust, told a newspaper that the move made "a mockery of the whole criminal justice system." There has also been the suggestion that the money was given in order to prevent the issue becoming one of 'human rights'.

We'll keep you posted as we learn more. What are your thoughts on this?

By Luke Guttridge