Prisoners play violent games

Sean Tudor · 07-29-2002, 04:33 PM

Prisoners play violent games
By MARK BUTTLER
05jun02

VICTORIA'S worst inmates are playing violent computer games where they kill, run down bystanders, escape jail and flee police in high-speed chases.

Other violent games available to maximum security inmates at Port Phillip Prison allow them to engage in gang wars and blow up buildings.
The Herald Sun has also learned inmates are being shown violent movies for their pleasure.

Murderers, rapists and thieves last week were shown Training Day, which features Denzel Washington as a corrupt police officer.

Angry police last night branded the violent recreation as unsuitable to rehabilitate criminals.

Police Association secretary Sen-Sgt Paul Mullett said some prisoners would be using their computers to act out the very crimes for which they had been jailed.

"It's totally inappropriate -- quite clearly the wrong message," Sen-Sgt Mullett said.

"We're extremely surprised. It's not positive rehabilitation at all. They'd be better being tutored on the pain victims go through as part of the commission of their crimes."

Sen-Sgt Mullett called on corrections authorities to examine the issue.

Psychologist Ronald Conway said while he did not usually back censorship, some was needed in this case.

"It does seem to endorse, subliminally, the life they have led. There's a case for weeding out some of this stuff," he said.

"It's particularly true of the younger prisoners who are still impressionable to some degree."

Pumped up by their violent video exploits, inmates can also buy specialist bodybuilding supplements to bulk up.

Privately operated Port Phillip houses some of the state's most feared prisoners, including Russell St bomber Craig Minogue, armed robbers Hugo Rich and Victor Brincat and murderer Raymond "Mr Stinky" Edmunds.

Inmates are allowed to buy one new video game a month at Port Phillip Prison.

Among games on a list circulated to prisoners is Grand Theft Auto in which the player assumes the identity of a criminal to blow up buildings before racing through streets with police in pursuit.

Carmageddon challenges players to crash into pedestrians with killing as many people as possible the key to success.

The Playstation game Road Rash Jailbreak allows inmates to act out the role of a gang member who races to a finish line with 15 other thugs. While police chase, the player drives maniacally while attacking rivals with pipes, clubs and bottles.

A range of war games, including SpecOps Covert Assault and Rogue Spear -- Rainbow Six, allow prisoners to play soldier.

Games with strong horror themes and graphic violence such as Resident Evil 3 and Evil Dead also feature on the list.

The kick-boxing game Street Fighter lets players have bare-knuckle bouts in bars.

Those keen to employ those skills first-hand can prepare themselves with a range of bodybuilding supplements also available for sale at Port Phillip.

A 2kg pack of Rock Hard protein powder is available for $64.90, Extreme Growth can be purchased for $66 and Growth Chews cost $55.

The games, priced between $4.80 for Actua Pool and $93 for Vandal Hearts 2, come from a selection of several hundred available to inmates.

Those with more tame tastes have a range of sedate titles from which to choose, including Crash Bandicoot, Championship Surfer, Simpsons Wrestling and Dukes of Hazzard Racing.

A spokesman for acting corrections commissioner Dennis Roach said it was policy in Victorian prisons that no video games or movies rated higher than M were allowed into jails.

But a prison source said it was ridiculous criminals had access to violent games and videos.

"Some of these people can't differentiate between fantasy and reality," the source said.

"It's wrong. The public need to know that their taxes are paying $60,000 a year to keep each of these blokes and they're playing these sort of games."

Port Phillip Prison ignited controversy earlier this year with a move to install ice cream machines for inmates. The plan was abandoned soon after being revealed in the Herald Sun.

Sparky · 07-29-2002, 06:07 PM

Quote:

A spokesman for acting corrections commissioner Dennis Roach said it was policy in Victorian prisons that no video games or movies rated higher than M were allowed into jails.

Yes, it is a little known fact that the men at Reading Gaol in the late 19th century were deprived of not only moustache wax, cravats, laudanum, tatting needles and naughty daguerreotypes, but violent games like State of Emergency, Silent Hill, and Mario Karts for the popular Babbage's Difference Engine. Sadly, this bleak environment likely contributed to Oscar Wilde's death after his release in 1897.

07-29-2002, 06:41 PM

You know...

I live in NJ. We have the death penalty and the last time we have used it was in the 60's. Now... If I went on a murdeous rampage, killed tons of people and was arrested, what would my punishment be? Death row? Maybe... But would I be executed. Nope...

So.. I would be on death row, out of the public prison area. I could get an free college education, have no bills, get free entertainment and sexual visits. Opps... I would get free medical and dental treatment. And a warm place to sleep.

hmm... I need to go to prison :D

Jason McCullough · 07-29-2002, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AIM

You know...

I live in NJ. We have the death penalty and the last time we have used it was in the 60's. Now... If I went on a murdeous rampage, killed tons of people and was arrested, what would my punishment be? Death row? Maybe... But would I be executed. Nope...

So.. I would be on death row, out of the public prison area. I could get an free college education, have no bills, get free entertainment and sexual visits. Opps... I would get free medical and dental treatment. And a warm place to sleep.

hmm... I need to go to prison :D

15 or more years of soul-crushing boredom is a pretty good trade for free room and board, you have to admit.

What?

TomChick · 07-29-2002, 07:34 PM

Quote:

hmm... I need to go to prison

Norm MacDonald had a routine in which he pondered the benefits of going to prison, pointing out that it all sounded good except for the anal rape.

-Tom

wumpus · 07-29-2002, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Yes, it is a little known fact that the men at Reading Gaol in the late 19th century were deprived of not only moustache wax, cravats, laudanum, tatting needles and naughty daguerreotypes, but violent games like State of Emergency, Silent Hill, and Mario Karts for the popular Babbage's Difference Engine. Sadly, this bleak environment likely contributed to Oscar Wilde's death after his release in 1897.

LOL!

wumpus · 07-29-2002, 08:59 PM

Quote:

15 or more years of soul-crushing boredom is a pretty good trade for free room and board, you have to admit.

We won't be satisfied with anything less than public stonings.

Xaroc · 07-30-2002, 07:18 AM

My question would be, is the violence rate down in the prison? My guess would be yes because instead of fighting with other inmates they are probably taking out their aggression on the games.

-- Xaroc

TomChick · 07-30-2002, 01:43 PM

Quote:

My question would be, is the violence rate down in the prison? My guess would be yes because instead of fighting with other inmates they are probably taking out their aggression on the games.

Normally I'd agree, Xaroc, if you're talking about healthy, well-adjusted people. But I don't think you can assume this about most prison populations.

-Tom

Xaroc · 07-30-2002, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomChick

Quote:

My question would be, is the violence rate down in the prison? My guess would be yes because instead of fighting with other inmates they are probably taking out their aggression on the games.

Normally I'd agree, Xaroc, if you're talking about healthy, well-adjusted people. But I don't think you can assume this about most prison populations.

-Tom

This is true, I just wonder what the thought process is behind this kind of program. I can't imagine someone just piped up one day and declared "You know the prisoners don't get enough video games and not allowing them to play SSX Tricky is a crime."

-- Xaroc

Kevin Perry · 07-30-2002, 02:53 PM

Perhaps someone piped up one day and said, "Hey, the prisoners are killing each other with crude knives when they're not forcibly sodomizing each other. Maybe we should let them veg out instead."

07-29-2002, 04:33 PM	#1
Sean Tudor Social Worker Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 3,141	Prisoners play violent games Prisoners play violent games By MARK BUTTLER 05jun02 VICTORIA'S worst inmates are playing violent computer games where they kill, run down bystanders, escape jail and flee police in high-speed chases. Other violent games available to maximum security inmates at Port Phillip Prison allow them to engage in gang wars and blow up buildings. The Herald Sun has also learned inmates are being shown violent movies for their pleasure. Murderers, rapists and thieves last week were shown Training Day, which features Denzel Washington as a corrupt police officer. Angry police last night branded the violent recreation as unsuitable to rehabilitate criminals. Police Association secretary Sen-Sgt Paul Mullett said some prisoners would be using their computers to act out the very crimes for which they had been jailed. "It's totally inappropriate -- quite clearly the wrong message," Sen-Sgt Mullett said. "We're extremely surprised. It's not positive rehabilitation at all. They'd be better being tutored on the pain victims go through as part of the commission of their crimes." Sen-Sgt Mullett called on corrections authorities to examine the issue. Psychologist Ronald Conway said while he did not usually back censorship, some was needed in this case. "It does seem to endorse, subliminally, the life they have led. There's a case for weeding out some of this stuff," he said. "It's particularly true of the younger prisoners who are still impressionable to some degree." Pumped up by their violent video exploits, inmates can also buy specialist bodybuilding supplements to bulk up. Privately operated Port Phillip houses some of the state's most feared prisoners, including Russell St bomber Craig Minogue, armed robbers Hugo Rich and Victor Brincat and murderer Raymond "Mr Stinky" Edmunds. Inmates are allowed to buy one new video game a month at Port Phillip Prison. Among games on a list circulated to prisoners is Grand Theft Auto in which the player assumes the identity of a criminal to blow up buildings before racing through streets with police in pursuit. Carmageddon challenges players to crash into pedestrians with killing as many people as possible the key to success. The Playstation game Road Rash Jailbreak allows inmates to act out the role of a gang member who races to a finish line with 15 other thugs. While police chase, the player drives maniacally while attacking rivals with pipes, clubs and bottles. A range of war games, including SpecOps Covert Assault and Rogue Spear -- Rainbow Six, allow prisoners to play soldier. Games with strong horror themes and graphic violence such as Resident Evil 3 and Evil Dead also feature on the list. The kick-boxing game Street Fighter lets players have bare-knuckle bouts in bars. Those keen to employ those skills first-hand can prepare themselves with a range of bodybuilding supplements also available for sale at Port Phillip. A 2kg pack of Rock Hard protein powder is available for $64.90, Extreme Growth can be purchased for $66 and Growth Chews cost $55. The games, priced between $4.80 for Actua Pool and $93 for Vandal Hearts 2, come from a selection of several hundred available to inmates. Those with more tame tastes have a range of sedate titles from which to choose, including Crash Bandicoot, Championship Surfer, Simpsons Wrestling and Dukes of Hazzard Racing. A spokesman for acting corrections commissioner Dennis Roach said it was policy in Victorian prisons that no video games or movies rated higher than M were allowed into jails. But a prison source said it was ridiculous criminals had access to violent games and videos. "Some of these people can't differentiate between fantasy and reality," the source said. "It's wrong. The public need to know that their taxes are paying $60,000 a year to keep each of these blokes and they're playing these sort of games." Port Phillip Prison ignited controversy earlier this year with a move to install ice cream machines for inmates. The plan was abandoned soon after being revealed in the Herald Sun.

07-29-2002, 06:41 PM	#3
AIM Guest Posts: n/a	You know... I live in NJ. We have the death penalty and the last time we have used it was in the 60's. Now... If I went on a murdeous rampage, killed tons of people and was arrested, what would my punishment be? Death row? Maybe... But would I be executed. Nope... So.. I would be on death row, out of the public prison area. I could get an free college education, have no bills, get free entertainment and sexual visits. Opps... I would get free medical and dental treatment. And a warm place to sleep. hmm... I need to go to prison :D

07-30-2002, 07:18 AM	#8
Xaroc Social Worker Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Annapolis, MD Gamertag: Xaroc Posts: 3,720	My question would be, is the violence rate down in the prison? My guess would be yes because instead of fighting with other inmates they are probably taking out their aggression on the games. -- Xaroc

07-30-2002, 02:53 PM	#11
Kevin Perry Hustle Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Santa Monica, CA Posts: 401	Perhaps someone piped up one day and said, "Hey, the prisoners are killing each other with crude knives when they're not forcibly sodomizing each other. Maybe we should let them veg out instead."

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Prisoners play violent games