Authorised phone calls the best option
It is my belief that solutions can be sourced to many of the problems facing our country. However, our problems have remained due to the failure of both present and previous governments to act on the information presented to them.
One such problem is the smuggling of cellphones into the prison system. The existence of these cell phones poses a serious threat to the general public. Such situations can result in convicted criminals giving directives to conduct criminal activity from within prison.
One of the major reasons for the high number of cellphones in the jails is the absence of a proper phone system that allows prisoners to communicate with their families and lawyers. If steps were taken to provide such a system years ago, the current situation may not have been as bad as it is.
It is important that prisoners be allowed to communicate with their families. It helps with their rehabilitation after they are released. In some cases, if prisoners aren’t allowed to communicate with their families they lose touch with one another and as a result, they return to a life of crime after being released because they have no one to turn to.
It is with this belief that I acknowledge the statements made by the Prisons Commissioner Martin Martinez that they are currently exploring a system which will allow prisoners to make authorised calls. Such a system is long overdue.
With the recent remarks by the Prime Minister that cellphone jammers will be installed at the nation’s prisons, I would like to thank both Mr Martinez, the Ministry of Justice and the National Security Council for acting on the information presented to them.
Keith Ruthman
Cascade