Editorial: Phones and computers in cells a good idea

The prison when it was under construction last year.

If Sensible Sentencing Trust founder Garth McVicar really thinks putting phones and internet-less computers in prison cells is creating an incentive to offend, the press should probably stop using him as a rent-a-quote.

It was revealed this week British prison operator Serco is putting phones and computers into every standard cell in its new $270million jail in South Auckland. The prison opened yesterday.

Prisoners can make pre-arranged and monitored calls to family members and access services like counselling, but cannot receive calls.

Computers will be used for activities like studying and booking appointments.
Corrections Minister Sam Lotu-Iiga and prison operator Serco say this access will help prisoners get the education and skills needed to get jobs, homes, a driver's licence and other things they will need to live a law-abiding life after serving their time.
But Mr McVicar says he's appalled by the move.

"My grandchildren are out selling firewood to pay for their computers to learn their computer skills in school," he said.

"Why not take a shortcut and wait until you've committed a crime and then you get it all on the taxpayer?"

Does anyone really believe that's a valid argument?

The Howard League, which campaigns for penal reform, says 50 to 60 per cent of prisoners are functionally illiterate and that that often gets prisoners into jail.

The educational software available to prisoners is designed to boost students who may not have had a successful education experience and who have low language or maths literacy.

Serco, which has had its share of controversy overseas, has a financial incentive to make this work and see a reduction in re-offending.
Phones and computers in cells are just part of their new approach to incarceration in the corrections system.

There's no real reason not to support the initiative.
Sensible sentencing is a worthy goal, but so is a sensible attitude to prisoner rehabilitation.