But the ban on MP3 players will limit, or at least severely delay, access to the newest releases.Ī sign outside the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont. Music appears to be a free-for-all, with "all genres" allowed and no apparent restrictions on lyrics. Jigsaw puzzles are subject to similar restrictions. Musicians, "pop culture icons" are in most cases fine. The same goes for "material of a sexual nature that involves violence, coercion, degradation, bodily harm or threats thereof to a person, whether real or fictional," and anything that promotes gangs or terrorist ideology.ĬSC was unable to provide examples of any sexist, racist or genocidal games unavailable on its e-commerce accounts in accordance with those policies.įashion is also restricted: clothing logos cannot depict gangs, alcohol, drugs, sexuality or violence. Games that promote "a theory of racial superiority" or incite hatred against a specific group are also prohibited, as are those that advocate genocide. The rules forbid games with any information on how to make drugs or weapons, and those that could explain how to commit or cover up crimes. They also censor content - for video games, clothing and even jigsaw puzzles. Racist, terrorist and genocidal content prohibitedĬSC policies limit more than technological progress behind bars. One advantage of using e-commerce platforms like Amazon, Sauvé said, is that it blunts concerns about price gouging. The tech giant's CEO has announced that over 18,000 roles will be cut from its workforce. The Amazon logo is seen at the company logistics center in Lauwin-Planque, northern France, on Jan. They pay what's there and they get it delivered." "This is the same system that you use, or any other Canadian would use," he said. One advantage of using e-commerce platforms is that it blunts any accusations of price gouging, according to Sauvé. That prompted the move to Amazon, though Prototype came back on as the second electronic supplier last year. And I know offenders were not always happy with the prices." it is what it is, but then again it's vetted through security. "Delivery times could be a bit slow," Sauvé said "The variety. That centralized the process, but it had its drawbacks. company called Prototype Integrated Solutions Inc. "It was a bit of a burden on an institution having to have somebody 'OK, your turn to go to Walmart and pick up some items,'" he said. Years ago, purchases were made locally, leading to "inconsistencies," Sauvé said. The Amazon system is the latest step in a journey that gives offenders more and better choices, while also saving CSC staff unnecessary effort. There are limits to how much each prisoner can possess: $1,500 of property and an additional $300 of jewellery. "At some point, a box like you've seen on your doorstep will get delivered to one of our institutions," he said. Instead, they choose from a paper list and take their orders to staff, who log on and place the order. Inmates do not have direct access to the Amazon account, according to Sauvé. Under the policies, inmates cannot use any Microsoft operating system more recent than Windows 98 and must rely on Microsoft Office 97 for their word processing and spreadsheet requirements. Personal computing is likewise stuck in the 20th century. So far this year, purchases have already surpassed $740,000, Sauvé said.īut even with the world's largest e-commerce company on board, the inmate purchasing experience remains decidedly low-tech.Įlectronic goods are mostly limited to what CSC called "first-generation" consoles like the Nintendo Entertainment System, the Super Nintendo and the Nintendo 64, as well as the Game Boy and Game Boy Advance. In 2022, inmates bought $586,000 worth of goods using the system. It's proven increasingly successful, according to Ghislain Sauvé, CSC director general of technical services and facilities. The aim was to give inmates access to wider choice and better prices. That means Canadian penitentiaries are places where the compact disc never died, Smart TVs are unknown and pioneering consoles like the Super Nintendo have endured decades past their prime.Īmazon became CSC's first e-commerce supplier in January 2022, with a B.C. Inmates have purchased roughly $130,000 in vintage video gaming technology since federal prisons opened Amazon accounts last year, as security rules keep entertainment options mired decades in the past.Ĭorrectional Service Canada (CSC) policies forbid inmates from buying any technology capable of communicating with the outside world. The original PlayStation, first released in 1994, is the most popular video game console purchased through e-commerce in Canada's federal prisons.
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