I got sent this video

Hamma Time

Looks really impressive and a lot of fun ......

Should prison be fun? would it encourage reoffending?

Or does it really help them become happier and not wish to reoffend?

I can´t make up my mind... although I preferrthis treatment of prisoner to some of the inhumane treatment of detainee that we read about

Aaahhhhh... I think this is a VERY good topic!!! Unfortunately, I don´t know enough about it yet to speak my mind on this issue (and I"m afraid to learn more too, because I know that I will only be angry with what we have now!!!). But there are some opinions that the situation in prisons mostly create worse criminals.. Certainly there has to be a punishment for certain actions.. but do we always punish the right things?  Do we keep offenders in prisons for the right amount of time? For example, a domestic violence offender spends a few nights in jail, then gets out and beats the hell out of his family even worse then before! While the drug trafficking person never hurt anyone, but stays in prison for a few months to years!

Actually they hurt a lot of people, cause untold misery, but I am off the same opinion, does the penalty fit the crime?  Not very often.

I think their are two schools of thought here.  While many drug offenders themselves do not hurt anyone, they are indirectly responsible for crimes that are committed before, during and after their criminal activity.  BUT.....people who choose to use drugs are ultimately responsible for their own fate, so arent´ drug traffickers just meeting demand with a supply? 

Then again....there are many violent criminals who are "cut a deal" with prosecutors in exchange for their testimony in court.  This is what REALLY makes me angry!

Anyway, should people be able to have fun in prison?  I would have to say yes.  Not only is there the basic human need to be forgiven and for redemption....it is also a legal right to be treated like a human and to be offered rehabilitation.  Part of these legal rights includes the full scope of human emotions which I don´t feel we have a right to deprive prisoners of.  How are they expected to behave like decent people if they are not treated like humanely?  Again, there are arguements on both sides of the fence on this....but as long as the legal systems ultimate goal for most prisoners is rehabilitation, then we must not forget their human rights.  Denying prisoners of happiness and fun would only serve to hinder rehabilitation.  Now, whether or not you believe that prison does in fact rehabilitate people....we could probably argue that until doomsday!

Perception of  crime changes.  Nelson Mandela was considered a terrorist, now he´s a respected statesman.

Mandela off U.S. terrorism watch list

 Most propably become a victim of their crime, for instance a young man 22, drug runner shot dead in the street a few days ago!  He is just one of many deaths/murders due to drugs in the UK.

I can´t see the vid so can´t comment on it.

On your point Elisabeth, we ought to get the re-offending stats to see if prison works!

To me prison is mainly meant for keeping dangerous people away from society. I don´t believe in the ´revenge´ idea of a prison punishment, what´s done wrong you can´t make good with locking people up. And are prisoners allowed to have ´fun´? Partly I say yes, like Elisabeth, for humanitary reasons. I think they must be entitled to study, sports, reading as long as it doesn´t conflict with the reason they were put behind bars. For some people prison in my country is like a hotel, only difference is that after 8pm or so the doors are locked behind them but during day time they can work if they want (and earn some money), sport, read, study, they have access to newspapers, internet, mobile phones etc. They have all one-person cells with own toilet and sink. It is a well known fact that some criminals do not stop their ´business´, only their headquarters have changed.... Partly I say ´no´, but that´s only emotionally said, not rational. If there´s ´fun´ in prison, what´s then the punishment? On the other hand there is one prison called an ´extra secured prison´ where inmates do not have newspapers, internet, telephone unless under guidance or supervision, 24/7 cameras, limited visitors, only because they are too dangerous. Most of them have got life. (We don´t have death penalty since 1860 or abouts.)

 I just thought of something else......If we truely expect people to be rehabilitated, but release them to the exact same environment that ultimately led to their crime....how do we then expect the "rehabilitation" to continue to work?  With that said....are the statistics really valid? 

My own personal opinion is that most people don´t change and once you have been in the prison system, you just learn to be a better criminal.  I just can´t help but wonder if we are doing enough to "rehabilitate" people who CAN be?  I would like to HOPE that SOME people can be saved. 

I wonder if those prisoners are really having fun. It looks like fun and games to us, but I don´t think I would enjoy being made to do anything, be it march or dance. I wonder if they have the option to say no if they don´t want to participate.

Cruel and unusual dance lessons?