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Missouri Prisons Pull Violent Video Games
blueZhift writes "Missouri's most violent criminals will no longer be permitted to play violent video games that simulate the kind of offenses that resulted in their incarceration in the first place. Prison officials pulled the games, which included such killfests as Hitman: Contracts, once they were informed of their violent content. Science fiction and sports games were not pulled as part of the sweep, so more nerdy prisoners will not be affected by the changes."
"Missouri's most violent criminals will no longer be permitted to play violent video games that simulate the kind of offenses that resulted in their incarceration...."
OH NOES!1!!11!
No more playing "Martha Stewart: Living" or "Martha Stewart: Baking and Basting for Bubbette" in prison anymore? That is cruel and unusual punishment!
Opinions on the Twiddler2 hand-held keyboard?
I think the real question is why they had them in the first place? Yes, I understand the argument that it's easier to keep them in line if they're docile, but c'mon... I can't tell you how many times I've wished for a place where the meals were prepared for me, could play video games, and not have any responsibilities to worry about (like work).
The more prisons offer to the inmates, the more inclined people are to WANT to go there. Even if they commit a lesser crime for the shorter sentence, it might end up being a choice vacation spot.
-9mm-
In other news, 387 prisoners in Missouri were shivved in separate incidents yesterday. Reports are conflicting at the moment, but assailants were overheard screaming things like "M*therf*cking Zergling Rushing F*ck!!!" and "I'll show you a m*therf*cking hat trick, b*tch!"
I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate.
...when the prison administrator was asked to pick up a game called Grand Theft Auto.
Missouri's prisoners are allowed to play video games!?!
Isn't is supposed to be a punishment to be in prison? Part of that is not being allowed to have stuff like this to enjoy. Prison is supposed to suck!
[End of diatribe. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming...] - Larry Wall in Configure from the perl
Free food, a free bed, and free video games.
Why haven't I killed someone, yet?
Game Name: "Hitman: Contracts"
ESRB Rating: Mature (17+) for Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs
Sounds coming from prison: "That !@#* warden Dormire is gonna get !$*#$!"
Also note that the ESRB does explicitly label Cartoon Violence as opposed to Violence.
I am amazed at how warning labels are ignored, even when they are simple and relevant! I bet I could put a label on something that says using it will kill you, and people would still buy it... Oh wait, they call that Tobacco!
> Jacqueline Helfgott said: "They're not afraid to engage in violence, unlike the nerd sitting in front of his computer."
Funny, because I'm a nerd, and I have sudden urge to bitchslap someone.
Respect It.
I highly recommend reading Michel Foucault's Discipline and Punish if you're interested in an illuminating discussion of the history of the prison system and a detailed account of how we arrived at a society of surveillance. Given all the tinfoil-hattery on /., it should be required reading.
Another one bites the dust