Wi-Fi consoles banned from UK prisons

by David Hinkle { Jun 17th 2009 at 9:30PM }

There's been a story floating around lately about the PS3 being banned from UK prisons. Well, that story is actually this one from 2007. But, all of this talk of consoles behind bars pushed INCGamers to action, and the site recently spoke with someone in the know and confirmed that UK convicts have not been able to use gaming systems with Wi-Fi capabilities for some time now.

"Prisoners in England and Wales have never been allowed access to wireless enabled technology such as that used in some games consoles," a spokesperson said. "A decision was taken some years ago that the then current generation of games consoles should be barred because the capability to send or receive radio signals is an integral part of the equipment. Future games consoles with this ability will be banned. This ban applies to Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Nintendo DS." In fact, the only consoles prisoners have been able to use are the PS1 and PS2, which isn't too bad if the inmates have some copies of Oddworld: Abe's Odyssee and God Hand to go with them.

Actually, nix that first game. It could cause a riot.

[Via Videogamer]

Tags: prison, uk

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

waves @ Jun 17th 2009 9:34PM

The 360 doesn't have built in WiFi! They should be allowed to play that!

No, wait. Screw the prisoners. Take their consoles and give them to kids with good grades. But first check that they're not full of drugs, money or porn.

Stupidiot @ Jun 17th 2009 9:59PM

Regardless, it still uses wireless communications.
Those controllers don't run on magical invisible wires, y'know.

The Dark Wayne @ Jun 17th 2009 10:48PM

no but some have visible wires

waves @ Jun 18th 2009 3:41AM

There aren't invisible wires? Then do I keep tripping over?

Bender Bending Rodriguez @ Jun 18th 2009 5:28AM

Do you?

Jake @ Jun 18th 2009 7:18AM

probably over this wire
www.play.com/Games/Xbox360/4-/719734/Official-Xbox-360-Wired-Controller/Product.html

fuck prisoners, there in there because they have done something bad, not to catch up with gaming

sony boy @ Jun 17th 2009 9:37PM

what about the wii and psp???

also...they should allow NES's.

uclat0mmy @ Jun 18th 2009 12:34AM

WTF, you get to play video games in prison? I think i should go rob a bank. If I go to jail, then oh well, at least my living costs are paid for and I get to play video games!

scooterbaga @ Jun 18th 2009 5:07AM

@uclat0mmy- You're right, it's win-win. Best of luck.

devilsei @ Jun 18th 2009 3:44PM

Actually, steal less than $50k nonviolently and you'll be living a great life in a white collar jail cell.

travis @ Jun 17th 2009 9:39PM

I play my brother all the time from prison on xbox live.

MystileArmor @ Jun 17th 2009 9:53PM

Nice to know your brother is very comfortable in prison. Does he have a nice HDTV as well to play on?
What does he need a console for anyways? Doesn't he get teabagged enough in prison already as it is?

Betaface @ Jun 18th 2009 2:22AM

I hope the same happens to you "MystileArmor" =p
c'mon, keep it clean. plz

Premature ejaculation man @ Jun 17th 2009 9:38PM

They should be playing mgs1 2 and 3 on the ps2 to learn how to sneak past guards or how to use ketchup

Rodrigo @ Jun 18th 2009 1:40AM

LOL... great!

Boff @ Jun 18th 2009 6:39AM

Prisoners can walk out of prison 10+ years later with a smile on their face and their arsehole intact.

Fixed.

Boff @ Jun 18th 2009 6:41AM

The comment system monster struck again.

Should have been a reply to Maverick Saturn below.

Now I just look stupid!

JXCgunrunna @ Jun 17th 2009 9:38PM

they shouldnt have fucking games. or tvs. whats wrong with ur prison system over there?

Sly [PSN SniperChameleon] @ Jun 17th 2009 9:48PM

i was thinking the same thing...

dave @ Jun 17th 2009 9:58PM

Don't worry; most of the worst offenders (murderers, rapists, paedophiles etc...) don't get to use the consoles. I mean how could they? They don't stay in prison long enough.

johnson412 @ Jun 17th 2009 10:00PM

I agree. It's that way in the US too, though. Pretty sure they get Internet access over here too.

JXCgunrunna @ Jun 17th 2009 10:01PM

its sad but so true.

sp23hagbard5 @ Jun 17th 2009 10:03PM

in these times there are primarily 2 kinds of prisoners:
1. those who have to live with caviar only once a week
2. those who are happy to get a roof over their head

GamerAsh @ Jun 17th 2009 11:03PM

Yeah, most of the low-life's enjoy prison and will sometimes doing something to get back in.

No bills,
Foods served for you,
Entertainment,
and you can exercise without being distracted.

BigD145 @ Jun 17th 2009 11:16PM

You forgot: Got tossed in prison for growing a plant.

JudasPrius @ Jun 17th 2009 11:20PM

@GamerAsh

At the expense of getting pwnd by Nasty Nate!

Maverick Saturn @ Jun 18th 2009 5:51AM

But noone needs to worry about dropping thier soap, the prisoners are too busy thinking about kicking each others arse in Tekken rather then raping them.

Prisoners can walk out of prison 10+ years later with a smile on thier face and thier dignity intact.

Markusdragon @ Jun 18th 2009 7:55AM

They have to be able to do something. You leave people just to rot and you'll end up with just mentally ill prisoners, or prisoners finding something else to pass their time, like attacking other prisoners, escaping, or recreational drugs.

Back in the day they got vocational training in the nick, but since Thatcher's experiments in Reaganism and anti-socialism the prison service has been run by the lowest bidder, so what once held some basic rehabilitation facilities now is just a place for offenders to spend a couple of years in front of things that will keep them quiet.