I am wondering if there might be an interest from members in seeking out prisoners, even those on death row, to play chess. It would be our service to society and would certainly make a change from weightlifting and the other usual prison activities. The rehabilitation possibilities are endless. As well, perhaps the site could be changed to www.redhotpawn.org and our memberships would be tax deductible.
I am willing to play anyone, regardless of their background, however, are you sure that Death Row prisoners would have access to the internet? And even if they did, would they be able to use the messaging system or the Forums? I doubt it somehow.
There might be the possibility of playing "snail-mail" chess with prisoners? I have seen some references to chess clubs playing prisoners on the net. Try typing "prison chess clubs" into Google for examples.
Originally posted by adramforallThe reason being that they have been caught in their crime, and are now being rehabilitated for it.
Here here.
They are in jail for a reason.
Does chess not calm the mind and encourage logical thought process?
I think that the confusion here is whether or not prisons are punishment centres or rehabilitation centres.
Originally posted by adramforallYes. They are in jail for a reason.
Here here.
They are in jail for a reason.
Some of them are killers. I don't see many soldiers in prison though...
Some of them are thiefs. I don't see many politicians in prison though...
Some of them are extortionists. I don't see the US or UK government in prison though...
Some of them dealt in drugs. I don't see many CIA operatives, tobacco shop owners or liquor store owners in prison though...
Some of them are just agressive bastards. I don't see Rumsfeld in prison though...
What on earth am I supposed to conclude here? Governments decide which part of doing something wrong is punishable and which part serves their cause?
It's a funny old world when Gerry Conlon can be imprisoned for years yet Manuel Noriega can be trained by US tax dollars (in the state of Georgia) and be backed by the international community.
Funny old world indeed.
Never forget that the people you imprison are imprisoned because they broke YOUR morals. And your morals change through-out your life and they change through-out history. Yesterday's criminal may well be the hero of tomorrow...
Just thinking of Nelson Mandela there...