AC Experiment Results: Should Prisoners Have Access to the Internet?

In February, I invited readers to take part in my AC experiment entitled "Should Prisoners Have Access to the Internet?" The experiment in its entirety can be found here. The experiment gave the readers some background information on the issue of internet inside prisons. At the end of the article, I challenged readers to give their opinion on three questions: (1) is having internet access a right or a privilege? (2) Do you feel inmates should have limited, free, or no access to the internet at all? (3) Should social networking websites do more to prevent inmates from posting information on their sites or should it be the prison system's responsibility to play big brother?

The answers I received, from both AC writers and readers from other sites, were not what I had expected when I first wrote the article. The opinions of the readers were all over the place, with some believing prisoners should have no access to the internet no matter what and others believing prisoners should be granted access.

Is having internet access a right or a privilege?

The answers received for this particular question were basically the same: internet access is not a right is most definitely a privilege. I tend to agree with the opinions regarding this question. The only rights we are afforded are our inalienable rights. Associated Content's Sharon Cohen responded to the question by saying, "having internet access is a privilege." Cohen's response is the easiest answer to this question and it seems most people would view having internet access is a privilege.

Another reader made the following comment, "I do not believe inmates should have the right to access the internet. As a former correctional officer, I have seen what they can do and how they can manipulate anyone. They also can get your information and find out where you live, so no I do not think they should have the right access the internet while they are in prison. They are in there for punishment not leisure time."

One reader believed that internet access is a privilege and compared it to other basic rights prisoners are not afforded by saying, "However, there is also talk of unrestricted access based on the 1^st Amendment...once they are in prison they lost a lot of those rights. By that logic they would also need to have a right to privacy and the right to firearms. So the premise is flawed even if the intention for reform is there. If it was to argue reform, then I am sold so long as it is restricted to approved sites that would allow them to educate themselves."

Do you feel inmates should have limited, free, or no access to the internet at all?

This question was the one which sparked most of the comments during the experiment. Many readers seemed to feel empathetic for prisoners, especially those who are trying to better themselves. The opinions were very similar on this question. Most of the readers believed inmates should have limited access to the internet for specific reasons, such as educational and legal purposes.

Associated Content's Heather B. responded to this question by giving this statement: "I think they should have access, but it should be limited. They should have it as a resource so they can look up legal issues, research, learn, and just...better themselves. They can use it to keep in touch with the world, keep up on what's going on, even to take online courses. A lot of men who wind up in prison are underprivileged youth who didn't really have the same chances as everyone else to finish receiving an education. For a man who is going to eventually be released, it is crucial for him to have learned a trade, have an education, and have something he can do to support himself when he gets out. Otherwise, he'll probably just go back to the same life of crime, in an endless cycle, because he knows no other way."

Should social networking websites do more to prevent inmates from posting information on their sties, or should it be the prison system's responsibility to play big brother?

The answers to this question were pretty much what I expected. The readers believed it was the prison system's responsibility to monitor inmates activities while on the internet. Social networking websites rarely take the time to look over every single profile, so the responsibility lies solely in the hands of the prisons.

The readers felt that if schools and libraries can implement software to block certain websites, then the prison system can too. The only problem I have with this is that the software does not monitor all outgoing and incoming emails. Since most of the inmates' mail is searched physically, it would seem that viewing inmates' email messages, prior to the inmates receiving the emails, would be costly and time consuming. This could eventually lead to security breeches or the development of hit lists via the internet. If it could be implemented, using the least amount of resources possible, then it would be a good idea.

The responses received from this experiment were very thought provoking and some even changed my opinion on the issue. It seems most people would like to see inmates given some sort of access to the internet if it were used in a positive light. Internet access is not seen as a right, since we all have to pay to use it, but it can be very beneficial to some inmates. If inmates are to be given internet access, their access should be carefully monitored and restricted.