In an e-mail statement, the department said video games are 'just one of the recreational opportunities available to inmates.'Īt Headingley jail, video game privileges are 'earned' by inmates, the e-mail said. Manitoba Justice did not provide an interview, and a spokesman referenced a policy not to discuss day-to-day operations of its facilities. If it's something that can be used as a reward system to best manage their overflowing population, it's up to them,' said Kate Kehler, assistant executive director of the John Howard Society in Winnipeg. Games might help control inmates' behaviour inside crowded institutions, suggested a prisoners' advocacy group, and guards should have the ability to grant access to games. 'If there are profits raised, they should go towards paying the costs of the building, electricity, repairs, those kinds of things,' he said. That money should be spent elsewhere, Craig argues.

Manitoba Justice officials have said the games are purchased using profits from the facility's canteen. 'I think it doesn't sit well with many law-abiding citizens who can't afford to have these games in their homes,' spokesman Colin Craig said.Ĭraig says public dollars are covering the cost of jailhouse video games. 'With the exception of a few games rated 'T' for teen, no games featuring violence, sex or criminal activities are allowed,' it states.Ĭlearly, violent games should be out of the question, but Colin Craig of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation wonders why video games are even offered in jail. Video games are an 'earned privilege' for inmates, the letter reads, and the titles must meet a 'strict set' of criteria.Īll must be rated 'E' for everyone or 'T' for teen. Pimp My Ride, NBA2K12, Guitar Hero Aerosmith and Jeopardy are among the games listed in a letter from Manitoba Justice. The Headingley Correctional Centre has 68 titles in its collection, and the games can be played on Sony Playstations in four units, according to a letter supplied to QMI Agency under a Freedom of Information request. The video game collection at one Manitoba jail could nearly fill the shelves of an old video rental store, new documents obtained by QMI Agency show.

Games pimp my ride 3