Prison PLing

[Brian C]

Video

Good or bad?

[ScottYard]

I saw this before. I work in corrections as a social worker. I wish our jail had more positive outlets like this.

[Brian C]

Yea Scott i agree. Im a police officer in Philly, and as a lot of guys I work with would probably disagree, I think programs like this having an organized and tightly run gym would really be beneficial to inmates. And as you can see in the vid, races are brought together and actually support each other, which NEVER happens inside.

[barryisawinnah]

that's awesome.

I can't see why more prisons/jails wouldn't want to incorporate more things like this

[MNparisect]

To have that energy I would need 2 four loco's!

[jtteg_x]

I believe I read somewhere in Powerlifting USA that Chuck Vogelpohl was or currently is a correctional officer. I bet he would love to have that at his camp.

So when is the "Prison Open" meet gonna happen?

[Mark!]

Yea Scott i agree. Im a police officer in Philly, and as a lot of guys I work with would probably disagree, I think programs like this having an organized and tightly run gym would really be beneficial to inmates. And as you can see in the vid, races are brought together and actually support each other, which NEVER happens inside.

I'm in the same field, and I definitely agree. That's a damn good video showing what it can accomplish.

[BloodandThunder]

I've been to Rockview which is right outside PSU for some meets. Met Beetle Lowe (saw him pull 700+ beltless in his late fifties). Jim Williams also lifted there, but they have some strong guys lifting big weights with such minimal equipment.

[PaulM]

the prison meets that Blood and Thunder is talking about are great to go to. Some freak raw lifting. Always love going

[Brian Hopper]

That's such a cool video.

[theBarzeen]

It's a real shame that so many prisons are getting rid of their weight rooms.... I'm no criminal, but I know that weight lifting has been a positive thing in my own life, it must be a god send for someone locked up with issues to get through.

[Lones Green]

I think this is pretty cool. I'm currently in school for psych and I'd like to do something with the degree in a prison.

[BloodandThunder]

@ PaulM --- Actually, these prisoners all raised their own money to buy Titan single-ply equipment. Beetle Lowe still holds the World Raw Squat record at 275 and still holds the American Senior Squat record at 950 in single ply. I was refering to basic barbell, bench, rack setup. They fashioned some boards together though.

Even crazier, these guys subsided on grape drink, coffee cake, and coffee during meets haha.

All of them had to be on good behavior to be eligible to lift with the squad and like mentioned, it gave them something to focus on while incarcerated. They definitely were the most fun USAPL meets I've been to though haha with the whole prison watching and cheering.

[Bosshogg300]

i think it is a good idea that there is a chance for these guys to have an outlet like weightlifting, and i for one see no reason why they shouldnt i am entering into the law enforcement field and know many others in law enforcement who also feel the same, but it was a good video

[NickAus]

I don't give a fuck about prisoners and those guys do not impress me but if it means they are less likely to return to criminal behavior when they get out then that is a very good thing.

I'm sure there would be a positive effect.

[Falcon63]

I don't give a fuck about prisoners and those guys do not impress me but if it means they are less likely to return to criminal behavior when they get out then that is a very good thing.

I'm sure there would be a positive effect.

Exactly.

[Brian Hopper]

Tell us how you really feel Nick, lol.

[MikeWilliams]

cool video

[cpa5oh]

Long as taxpayer money doesn't fund this, it's a great thing.

[Brian C]

Obviously being in LE, I could care less in general about prisoners also. But the ones that do want to change and would benefit from a program from this, im all for. BUT there would be very strict policies to be able to utilize the gym AND you would have to earn your way first. Anyone with gang affiliation is automatically out, period.

[Falcon63]

Obviously being in LE, I could care less in general about prisoners also. But the ones that do want to change and would benefit from a program from this, im all for. BUT there would be very strict policies to be able to utilize the gym AND you would have to earn your way first. Anyone with gang affiliation is automatically out, period.

This. It would be a pretty easy for way for a criminal to take out a rival gang member. 45 pound plate tot he side of the head.

[killxswitch]

To me prison is for punishment, not rehabilitation. That being said, if the rehabilitation does happen, great. And it seems like this would be a good way for big dumb guys that might otherwise make bad decisions to get some of that aggression out in a positive manner. I know race is a huge dividing line in prison so any activity that increases racial harmony and makes them all too tired to hurt each other or a prison guard is a good thing.

[ironwill727]

I worked as a C/O in one of the few prisons that still has weights. It was outdoors and the inmates treated those weights like gold because if they break they would not be replaced. . If they ever rioted the weights would be gone in a heartbeat. It helps them relieve stress and tension and the prison used it as leverage (win/win). Contrary to popular belief most inmates are not freaks of nature or beasts, however their were some big strong dudes there. Personally, I think prison powerlifting can be a good thing because it teaches inmates to set goals and be positive as long as it is used as a priviledge that can be taken away.

[NickAus]

Some good thoughts!

[NITF]

To me prison is for punishment, not rehabilitation. That being said, if the rehabilitation does happen, great. And it seems like this would be a good way for big dumb guys that might otherwise make bad decisions to get some of that aggression out in a positive manner. I know race is a huge dividing line in prison so any activity that increases racial harmony and makes them all too tired to hurt each other or a prison guard is a good thing.

A prisons primary purpose, as it has developed though centuries of western criminal law, is restraint, not punishment or retribution. Criminal law, and by extension prisons, are made up of and serve the following 4 principles: Restraint (keeping dangerous people away from society), Rehabilitation (trying to keep dangerous people from being so dangerous, maybe make them productive), Retribution (societies revenge for violating laws doing harm to others), and Deterrence (sending a message to society about the consequences of violating laws and abnormal behavior). These are commonly known as the three 'R's and one 'D', and are fundamental to our legal system.

It's my opinion that any prison without a balanced, rational approach to the 3 'R's and one 'D' is not worth taxpayers money.

Weight lifting is a great way to help rehab inmates and shape their behavior. It will help teach them to set and achieve goals, have positive self-regard and help give them a more positive attitude all around.