Should prisoners have the right to education in prison?

[GoldenMerc]

No, I feel they get treated pretty good in jail. 3 meals a day, tv etc

[bkps]

I think no matter what they have done, even if they haven taken someone else's human rights away, they still have the right to theirs (unfortunately) and one of the human rights is the right to an education. In addition to that, the world changes a lot in the time someone can be locked up. For example, look at the James Bulger killers, they were 2 10 year old boys and by the time one of them got out, he re-offended and it was to do with Child Pornography. I'm not condoning anything that they done because after all, it was completely wrong, but the fact that there was a case of re-offence shows that they didn't know better. They were kids, they weren't taught anything in prison and society changed while they were in prison. There's loads of other reasons why there should be education but my hands hurt from debating so much ;/

[-:Undertaker:-]

I think no matter what they have done, even if they haven taken someone else's human rights away, they still have the right to theirs (unfortunately) and one of the human rights is the right to an education. In addition to that, the world changes a lot in the time someone can be locked up. For example, look at the James Bulger killers, they were 2 10 year old boys and by the time one of them got out, he re-offended and it was to do with Child Pornography. I'm not condoning anything that they done because after all, it was completely wrong, but the fact that there was a case of re-offence shows that they didn't know better. They were kids, they weren't taught anything in prison and society changed while they were in prison. There's loads of other reasons why there should be education but my hands hurt from debating so much ;/

Surely it's also a human right to be free and not locked up - so under this human rights argument, why not release them from prison? Doesn't add up.

[MKR&*42]

Think it largely depends on the age and the crime the person committed. I think if they were fairly young and were jailed for something like erm... help can't think of example.. minor case of theft (I know all theft is bad, but let's say this was only £500 value) then there's always a possibility of educating them onto a different path and it wouldn't be too late to drive them away from a criminal career and if they were educated around 18/19 they might actually have a chance of being able to go down a different track in life. However, I think with continuous repeat offenders in their 30s+ I would find it pointless as they've kinda shown time and time again they're not willing to be beneficial to society so why should society help them?

[bkps]

Surely it's also a human right to be free and not locked up - so under this human rights argument, why not release them from prison? Doesn't add up.

Yeah that is true it is a lose lose situation but at least with education that's 1 more right they have

[Explorator]

I think they should be able to.

Putting it simply out there, we want to help stop crime and we want to get people to stop committing it.

If people are well educated and smart, they might be able to get a job, which will keep them off the streets and will keep them from doing any harm.

[Jurv]

yes definitely. without the right education i don't think prisoners would allow themselves to change (..as much)

the skills that they learn would potentially allow them to do something good with their lives and give back to society

[-:Undertaker:-]

Yeah that is true it is a lose lose situation but at least with education that's 1 more right they have

But the whole point of prison is that you are punished by losing your rights.

Not saying I don't agree with education in prison, just saying it shouldn't be classed as a 'right'.

[bkps]

But the whole point of prison is that you are punished by losing your rights.

Not saying I don't agree with education in prison, just saying it shouldn't be classed as a 'right'.

i understand what you mean like yeah take away their rights but i dont think all their rights should be taken away, after all they are still humans

[[Jay]]

I think education would benefit prisoners greatly and is far more likely to see those prisoners change and not reoffend. I have read about Norwegian prisons and how they treat their prisoners and they have the lowest reoffending figures in Europe.
This article might be an interesting read:
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2...ed-like-people

However you can argue that they are receiving a life of luxury rather then serving a sentence and I agree a line has to be drawn but I think its vital that prisoners are given the opportunity to learn and change rather then going in jail coming out having no beneficial skills which would force them back to crime.