I've told folks about this philosophy and some have said that will only make for very angry people coming out of prison. My view is that a prison term spent mostly in isolation will give that prisoner real pause when thinking about future criminal acts. The incidence of prison rape would drop basically to zero and thus the rate of AIDS in prison would drop as well. While providing the facilities as described above might cost more than the typical facilities, I think that cost would be offset by reduced personnel costs along with reduced medical costs resulting from a dramatic drop in incarceration related injuries resulting from rape, fights, etc. I suppose somebody like Amnesty International would say this treatment would be inhumane, but I think prohibiting a small time crook from being hardened into a big time offender due to brutal treatment from other hardened inmates is very humane.
Just sit in there and think about what you did. Every minute of every day.
So.. You're a big, loud, tough guy, are you?
That's not going to mean much in solitary.. As there's no one there to pick on.
If you want to play big shot, you're going to have to perform for an audience of one...
From a Prison Inmate Handbook, TENNESSEE Prison System
West Tennessee High Security Facility (WTHSF) at Henning. Why do inmates need microwave ovens? Quote: "Inmates at the WTHSF will be provided a comprehensive recreation and leisure time program that should in some manner appeal to all inmates: Intramural competition is available in softball, basketball, volley ball and soccer. Weight equipment is available in the gym and unit recreation areas. An arts and craft shop is located in the gym. The following activities are available to most WTHSF inmates. Basketball, boxing, card games, checkers, chess, concerts, dominoes, movies, ping pong, running, soccer, softball, table games, volleyball, weight lifting." WTHSF inmates have their own 219 channel satellite TV dish.
Inmate telephone system (ITS): family and friends can now send money for deposit to an inmate's telephone trust fund account. The cost of any telephone call made by an inmate using the telephone trust fund will be discounted 15%.
Inmates can have at their own expense a 13 in. TV, AM/FM radio, tape player/ recorder/compact disc player, typewriter, 2 rings, 1 necklace and watch, Walkman, curl-ing irons, rollers (female only), fan up to16in. FANS??? TN Prisons are air conditioned) hand held hair dryer, calculator, musical instruments, batteries, 3x5 rug, surge suppressor, and suntan lotion.
Inmate Rules and Regulations 1992, Activities, Tn Dept.of Correction feels that all inmates should have the opportunity to participate in activities which will help to cre-ate enthusiasm, both mentally and physical, through activities as approved by the facility /organization. Not all activities are available at all institutions or to all inmates. Custody, Classification, length of sentence, behavior, etc. may restrict participation. Those activities include: Inmate Organizations: any group or club authorized to conduct bus-iness and/or social activities by the department/institution; Outside Trips Participation in public events, speaking engagements, athletic events, mutual programs; Interinstitutional Activities: Athletic events/competitions, banquets, & mutual programs; Academic Pro-gram: Adult Basic Education, GED; Vocational Programs; Social Development Program: Planned, purposeful activities designed to promote the inmate's social adjustment and assist in resolving personal or interpersonal problems; Arts & Crafts; Inmate Council: elected group of inmates which meet regularly with wardens and other department employees to communicate suggestions and concerns from the inmate population, and to receive information from the administration concerning issues of interest to the inmates; Recreation & leisure time programs are available at each institution. We hope that you choose to participate in the wide variety of programs available to you.