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#PRISONPHONES
Nicola Sturgeon has been urged to end the policy of giving free mobile phones to prisoners. Conservative MSP Russell Findlay said the £4 million measure, introduced as a Covid-period way for inmates to keep in touch with families, had resulted in phones being misused more than 5,000 times. @bronwynchat wrote: “It’s not as simple as that, staying connected to their families and kids is vital for rehabilitation.” @cairngorm22 wrote: “Don't be too quick to attack this scheme: a lot of Tory peers and MPS might be benefiting from it soon.” @Craigro829 said: “Sadly, she’ll ‘take no lessons’ from anyone.”
@rhodamiller14 asked: “The day is not far off when BT will stop providing and maintaining pay phones. What then are prisoners meant to do? They are entitled to speak to their families, to talk to their lawyers, and nearing release, they need access to phones to make arrangements.” @ralphupton replied: “They have legal visits and arrangements are made for release so phones not needed for that. There have always been phone cards for prisoners but officers listen in to stop misuse.” @stackebee said: “Is this for real? What possible rationale is there for prisoners requiring mobile phone?” @carline5natasha said: “Scotland has too much money, obviously.” @alifichakera tweeted: “I don’t agree with mobile phones in prisons for very different reasons. But prisoners are generally in the lowest economic bracket. To stop recidivism we will do well to invest in them. Something that should have been done in the first place.” @davidca7367 said: “Wouldn't it be ironic that someone jailed for mugging people for phones, was provided one for free by the goverment whilst in jail?” @davidfulton123 wrote: “Who says crime doesn’t pay?”
@The_prez said: “If the phrase ‘free mobile phones for convicts’ doesn't make you shocked and angry, you may be part of the problem.” @Delfellowes said: “Is this a joke? Probably organising crime on these free mobile phones.”
@Paul056 tweeted: “That’s a typical example of the left wasting money on ridiculous schemes to support criminals. No surprise.” @ginyedaur said: “She knows her core vote well.”