Should inmates be allowed to correspond in languages other than English?
Prisoners incarcerated in the United States should be allowed to communicate in any language of their choice. This aspect is because the prisons in America consist of numerous persons hence there is a great chance of people not conversant with English. (Palmer, 2014). Inmates may use their native languages while addressing relatives via mails and when talking to people who understand their dialect. Moreover, allowing people to communicate with their first language saves the cost that can be incurred in teaching the English language to the inmates. Also, conversing with different languages ensures cultural diversity in prisons hence makes jails accommodative to all persons.
Should inmates be allowed to possess magazines/photographs that depict nudity?
Just like any other citizen, convicts should not be allowed to possess images that depict nakedness. The reason for this point is that nudity shows immorality and goes against the code of ethics in the jails. Accessing pornographic materials in jails may lead to crimes like same-gender sex as it arouses the sexual desires of inmates. Preventing retrieval of these pictures is hard since some prisoners possess contrabands like phones (Palmer, 2014). To avoid these negative impacts, the prison personnel should enact laws that ban magazines and photographs showing nudity.
Should inmates be allowed to have conjugal visits?
Both female and male inmates should be allowed to have conjugal visits since it is among the human rights. Jails are allowed to schedule periods where family members and lovers visit inmates in jails. During the check-ins, the individuals can engage in sex especially if they are legal partners (Palmer, 2014). However, the visits should be conducted in well-set structures and certain rules and regulations set to ensure safety and avoid entry of contrabands.
Should inmates be allowed to change their names?
Prisoners express the urge to change their names while in prisons due to factors like religious requirements and personal wants. Criminals convicted of serious crimes like rape and murder should not be allowed to change their names despite the reasons they state (Palmer, 2014). This move aims at avoiding cases of anonymity in jails as prisoners may change names to hide their criminal records. However, those culprits of simpler offences can be allowed to change their names provided they follow the set guidelines in the law.
should correctional agencies be required to fulfil all the religious dietary needs of inmates?
Correctional agencies should fulfil all the religious dietary needs of inmates as a way of upholding beliefs of convicts. This aspect is necessitated by the fact that different religions have multiple beliefs on the diets to consume (Palmer, 2014). For instance, prisons should avoid serving beef to individuals who practice Hinduism as their religions do not allow. Additionally, serving pork to prisoners may be acceptable to Christians unlike to Muslim convicts as it goes against their faith. Meeting religious dietary requirements combats the bias in prisons based on religion and ensures diversity in the detention centres.
Thinking question
Should prisoners be allowed to undertake technical courses while serving their jail terms? Why or why not.
References
Palmer, J. W. (2014). Constitutional rights of prisoners. Routledge.