Along with meting out punishment comes programs designed to assist the inmate towards rehabilitating. Tablets are one tool utilized for that purpose. The goal of rehabilitation is to return convicts to society as better citizens. Does it work? Only if the inmate wants to change. You can lead a horse to water...
Inmates with tablets do not have access to internet service. No "hot spot", no "wifi ". They can set up an e-mail account that they must pay for out of their own money. They also will lose e-mail access for violating rules and regulations, just as they lose other privileges for infractions. The tablets do play a significant role in helping both inmates and instructors with educational related programs.
As far as recidivism and the seemingly constant revolving door of parole-violate-return, well, yes, quite frankly, prison is a better alternative to living in society for far too many people, sadly. But better they are back behind bars than living amongst the rest of functioning society. Personally, I prefer such people to be prisoners rather than my neighbor.
Private companies that provide inmates with products for purchase is one of the most lucrative propositions going. Grossly overinflated prices dangles in front of literally a captive audience. Such businesses are almost criminal themselves.
Books, candy, tablets, food items, programs - educational, vocational and recreational - help to keep idle minds and hands occupied for awhile. This has been proven to have a large impact towards reducing violence inside the walls. While it may seem like inmates have more rights than we do, that simply is not true. They are entitled to many of the services and utilities that the general population has. Keep in mind that they are paying their "debt to society" and are, in most cases, not monsters. I am not soft on nor tolerant of the inmates I watch over. However, I do have a civic and moral obligation and duty to assist each and every inmate towards facilitating their rehabilitation. I'll take every tool available to do so, gladly. I really don't enjoy fighting them.
Tablets are harmless. Unless they hit me in the face with ONE.
