This Is NOT An Article From The Onion

It is another factual report on the privileges extended to people who have been convicted of a crime and have been sent to prison as punishment. The operative word is "punishment" but like all leftist philosphy it is a joke.

November 17, 2006
Jail house rock a no-no
New rules nix iPods, other MP3 players from cells, but PlayStation games and cross-gender clothes OK
By KATHLEEN HARRIS, OTTAWA BUREAU

OTTAWA -- Cross-gender clothing, cigarette-making machines and stringed instruments are permitted in federal prison cells, but iPods, PJ's and ice skates are considered contraband.

The Correctional Service of Canada has drafted a new standardized list of personal items that inmates can bring in to the big house to ensure that policy is consistent across the country. Before the policy change, wardens had discretion to decide what was and wasn't allowed.

NO BATHING SUITS

Each inmate is allowed to have a cache of personal items worth up to $1,500, plus jewelry valued at a maximum of $300. Everything from clock radios, TVs, nail clippers, sporting equipment and PlayStation games are permitted, but MP3 players, waist pouches, geometry sets and bathing suits are banned.

CSC spokesman Christa McGregor said a special committee and security specialists helped draft the list, which will be reviewed each year to make additions or deletions as required.

"This amendment puts more accountability on the inmate for their personal effects put in their cell," McGregor said.

The policy aims to reduce the number of grievances and financial claims against the federal government. In past, CSC has paid out more than $100,000 annually for hundreds of claims for damaged, lost or stolen property.

CSC policy allows for settlement of claims against the Crown when "reasonable care" has not been exercised to protect inmate property, but some MPs have raised concerns that taxpayers are being "bilked" by fictitious claims.

McGregor said the policy also calls for more rigid record-keeping on items in the possession of inmates, especially when the prisoner is being transferred from one institution to another.

The new commissioner's directive says the goal is "to allow inmates to have sufficient personal property to ensure requirements of daily life are met, while ensuring the safety of staff, inmates and the public by establishing appropriate controls."

The list has some variances for institutional security level and for men's and women's penitentiaries.