What recreational facilities and activities should be available in prisons?

[nadinbrzezinski]

43. The Japanese do not even feed their prisoners

the US Department of State needs to bring food to the prison, or they will starve. No, not kidding. But going to prison in Japan is beyond the pale.. and violates codes of honor that most of us do not comprehend... so Japan is not even a good comparison. I mean here, going to the big house is a matter of honor for the gangs, the Yakuza actually avoids it.

Suffice to say the recidivism in Sweden though is far much lower than it is in the US.

We USED to try, early in the Prison Reform system. We don't even try anymore, and in the end it is far more expensive to have the kind of policies we do.

Granted SOME people can never be reformed and sent back to society, but a non violent criminal enters prison these days as such, leaves and returns as a violent offender. I do not consider that very cost effective. In fact, I consider that a really poor investment.