Imagine having hearing problems. Now imagine you’re in prison. And there’s nothing to help you hear anything that’s going on. Which excludes you from much that keeps you sane and occupied during your incarceration, like activities, religious services, and vocational and rehabilitation programs and classes. AND endangers your relationships with non-incarcerated family and friends because you can’t talk to them on the phone.
That’s what’s been happening in South Carolina–and maybe elsewhere. The Dept. of Justice just reached an agreement with them in that the South Carolina Dept. of Corrections will now provide sign language interpreters and aids that will ensure that inmates can participate in the programs that will help rehabilitate them and get them ready for life outside. An important addition is telecommunications services that will let them communicate with the family and friends that they’ll return to.
If these are really departments of correction rather than departments of vengeance, inmates must be given the opportunity to reform–all inmates, including the hearing impaired.