As a prisoner, you will spend a lot of time locked up in your prison cell. Surely, it will be very boring. If we are outside the bars, we can enjoy various forms of entertainment. Unfortunately, we cannot get that while in prison. However, in most prisons, prisoners can watch TV. By the way, can prisoners have a TV in the prison cell? Let us discuss the topic here.
Can Prisoners Have TV in Their Prison Cells?
The answer to whether or not prisoners can have a TV in their prison cell will vary depending on the rules and policies of each prison. It is worth noting, if you are incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, you cannot have a TV in your prison cell. The Federal Bureau of Prisons will not allow prisoners to purchase personal TVs. However, prisoners incarcerated in the Federal Bureau of Prisons can watch TV shows using communal TVs that have been provided.
Usually, these communal TVs are installed in high places so as not to be easily vandalized and for other security reasons. The TV shows or programs are determined by majority vote. Alternatively, prison officials also often determine the TV shows or programs that can be watched by prisoners. External speakers are removed from this communal TV. And, an FM modulator is connected to the TV. Therefore, prisoners can purchase a personal radio and tune the radio to a specific FM frequency to listen to programs. There are several communal TVs that are provided in each housing unit. Each communal TV is set to a specific type of program such as movies, news, sports, etc.
Some federal prisons have TV rooms in the housing units so that prisoners are more comfortable watching TV. Those TV rooms in housing units provide televisions that still have external speakers. Therefore, prisoners who lack funds can still watch the program. Usually, in each inmate housing unit, there are one to two TV rooms. Just like communal TVs kept in common areas, the shows or programming of these TVs are also decided by majority vote or by prison officers. However, unlike communal TVs in common areas, these TVs will not show a specific type of program.
Prisoners incarcerated in high-security prisons are also not allowed to have personal TVs. It is prohibited due to concerns about security or potential misuse of the TV. As we said, although prisoners cannot purchase a personal TV in their prison cell, they can still watch TV through communal TVs provided in common areas or in shared spaces. Of course, prisoners are allowed to watch TV during certain hours. Remember that access to communal TV, viewing hours, and available programs are subject to prison rules.
Obviously, TV regulations will vary across federal, state, and private prisons. Therefore, you should know and learn the facility’s rules regarding watching and purchasing TV. For information, in Alabama and Georgia, prisoners are allowed to have a personal TV in their prison cell if they purchase and pay for the TV through the commissary. Whereas in New York, prisoners are not allowed to have personal TVs. California, Texas, and Indiana also have their own rules regarding whether or not prisoners can have personal TVs in their prison cells.
Do Prisoners Incarcerated in UK Prison Cells Have TVs? – Earning the Privilege
For information, prisons in the United Kingdom operate under the Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme. Through this scheme, prisoners are expected to follow the rules and engage in positive behavior. Under this scheme prisoners can be placed on one of the following three levels:
Basic
Prisoners in this basic level will have the fewest privileges. Typically, they do not have access to a TV. Prisoners at this level have not demonstrated good behavior.
Standard
Prisoners who are at this standard level will have the right to access TV. However, in order to watch TV, they must pay a weekly fee.
Enhanced
Prisoners at this level will have additional privileges. They have demonstrated sustained good behavior. When prisoners are at this level, they will have access to in-cell without having to pay a weekly fee.
The Purpose of TVs in Prison Cells
There are several purposes or reasons why TV is allowed in prison cells:
Behavioural Management
The Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP) scheme uses privileges like TV access as an incentive for prisoners who have demonstrated sustained good behaviour. It is potentially creating a more manageable environment for the staff of prison.
Education and Rehabilitation
Some of the shows or programs that prisoners can watch through TV in prison cells can be educational. It can certainly help prisoners to learn new things or gain insight into social change, thus helping their reintegration upon release from prison.
Mental Well-being
As we know, prison life is isolating and can be mentally challenging. Having controlled access to the outside world, even if only through TV, can certainly help the mental health of prisoners.
Restrictions on What Prisoners Can Watch
Prisoners cannot watch any TV program they want. That is because they only have access to a limited number of TV channels. There is no access to streaming services or on-demand programs. In addition, certain programs are also restricted due to their nature, especially if they are deemed to potentially encourage illegal and dangerous behavior.
There are restrictions on what prisoners can watch. Prison officials will monitor and censor content that is inappropriate for prisoners to watch. All prisoners with good behavior can watch entertaining and educational shows or programs. Most major networks, including CBS, NBC, and ABC, can be watched by prisoners as they do not have inappropriate content. However, certain programs will not be available and cannot be watched by prisoners if the programs contain inappropriate content such as pornography, violence, and excessive gore. In addition, in some prisons, prisoners are also not allowed to watch “R” rated programs.
Remember that each prison has its own rules regarding what shows or programs the prisoners are allowed to watch. These rules are in place to ensure that prisoners are not influenced by things that could trigger bad behavior or illegal acts. If prisoners break the prison rules, or do not have good behavior, then they will lose the right to watch TV. If they have a personal TV, their TV will be confiscated. Even worse is that the prisoners will lose the right to watch TV for a long time.
Buying a TV For a Prisoner
As we have already explained, in some facilities, prisoners are allowed to have a TV in their prison cell provided that the TV must be purchased through the prison commissary, and from the shop inside the prison. However, purchasing a TV can only be done by prisoners who have shown good behavior. Not all prisoners have the privilege of having a personal TV in their prison cell.
Purchasing a TV involves several steps. First, a prisoner must first ask for permission to have a personal TV. If the facility grants permission, then the prisoner can spend some money to pay for the TV. Usually, the cost of the TV will be deducted from the prisoner’s account. After a successful transaction, the TV will be delivered to the prisoner’s prison cell. And then, the prisoner can watch TV from behind bars, of course, with content that is worth watching.
In some other facilities, prisoners who want to have a TV in their prison cell need to get the TV from their family or friends. To purchase a TV for a prisoner, family or friends of the prisoners must visit the prison and ask permission from prison officials to purchase a TV for their beloved inmate. The prisoner’s family or friends can choose the model and size of the TV that suits the prison cell. Typically, the size of TV that a prisoner can have is a 13-inch flat screen. In addition, prisoners can also be bought headphones by their family or friends so that they are free when watching TV and certainly do not disturb fellow prisoners. In essence, prisoners are encouraged to use headphones when watching TV to prevent noise or unwanted things.
Remember that purchases of TV from outside the prison are not allowed for security reasons. The TVs available in prison are specifically designed for use by prisoners in prison. The TVs are made of clear plastic to prevent illicit substances from being hidden inside. In addition, there are also rules that must be adhered to, both by the prisoners and the prisoner’s family or friends. For some facilities that allow family or friends of prisoners to purchase and bring in TVs from outside the prison, the TVs will first be checked by prison officials. After passing the check by the prison officer, the TV can then be delivered to the prisoners. Of course, prisoners must also watch shows or programs that are in accordance with prison rules, i.e. do not contain violence or pornography, nor are they potentially harmful to prisoners.
