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All New York prisoners to get free tablet computer

Tablet Computers - Level 4

Prisoners in New York State will get free tablet computers. A private communications contractor will give 54,700 tablets to prisoners. The prisoners will get limited online access. They will plug their tablets into special kiosks. Prisoners will be allowed to email approved family and friends. They can also order approved music, books and videos, and write reports of abuse. All of these activities will be carefully checked by prison staff.

Prisoner support services welcomed the project. They said it was a "huge step forward". New York State officials said the tablets would help prisoners stay closer to their families and help smooth relations with guards. Police officers are asking why convicts are getting free tablets. They said it shows that crime pays. One officer said prisoners shouldn't get free tablets when little is done for homeless and mentally ill people who can't afford tablets.

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Tablet Computers - Level 5

Prisoners in the U.S. state of New York will get free tablet computers. The 54,700 free tablets are from a private communications contractor working with New York's prisons. The tablets will not be Internet-enabled. Prisoners will get limited, but monitored, online access by plugging into special kiosks at specific times. Prisoners will be allowed to email an approved list of family and friends. They can order certain music, books and videos, and write about reports of abuse. All of these activities will be carefully checked by prison staff.

Prisoner support services welcomed the free tablet project. They called it a "huge step forward". A New York State official said the tablets would help prisoners stay closer to their families. It would lower tensions between prisoners and guards. However, police officers are questioning why convicts are getting free tablets. Some said it was a good example of how crime pays. A top police officer said prisoners shouldn't get free tablets when other people in society are struggling. He said: "Little is done for the homeless, mentally ill, and hard-working people who can't afford tablets."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

Tablet Computers - Level 6

All prisoners in the U.S. state of New York are to be given free tablet computers. The freebies are part of a deal struck between a private communications service called JPay and New York's prison service. The lucrative but controversial agreement involves the contractor providing 54,700 convicts with a free tablet. The tablets will not be Internet enabled, but prisoners will be able to get limited, but monitored, online access by plugging their device into approved kiosks at specific times. Inmates will be allowed to email an approved list of family and friends; order certain music, books and videos; and file grievances and reports of abuse. All of this activity will be heavily monitored by prison staff.

Prisoner support services welcomed the free tablet initiative. They called it a "game-changer" and a "huge step forward". A New York State official said the tablets would help prisoners remain closer to their families, and reduce tensions between prisoners and prison guards. However, law enforcement agencies are questioning the wisdom of giving tablets to convicts. Some law enforcement officers described it as a good example of how crime does pay. Top police officer Ed Mullins questioned why prisoners were getting free tablets when other people in society are struggling. He said: "Little is done for the homeless, mentally ill, and hard-working people who can't afford tablets in New York State."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson