Original website: http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_484639.html
Original Article
Jan 31, 2010
Gangster threatens on Facebook
LONDON - A BRITISH gangster is using Internet social networking site Facebook to threaten people who he says he will target after his release, a newspaper reported on Sunday.
Colin Gunn, serving 35 years for conspiracy to murder after ordering the execution of two people, said he was allowed to set up the account by prison bosses, the Sunday Times said.
In one posting, the 42-year-old wrote: 'I will be home one day and I can't wait to look into certain people's eyes and see the fear of me being there.'
Another said: 'It's good to have an outlet to let you know how I am, some of you will be in for a good slagging, some have let me down badly, and will be named and shamed'.
Gunn operated his gang out of Nottingham, central England, the location of several high profile gun murders in recent years. The paper said his account was shut down on Friday.
A spokesman for Britain's Ministry of Justice said that prisoners only have access to the Internet 'for educational purposes' and are banned from using social networking sites. Justice Secretary Jack Straw added: 'We will not hesitate to refer to the police any published material that appears to breach the law.' -- AFP
Reflection:
A local newspaper reported that a British gangster is using Internet social networking site fackbook to threaten people. One prisoner, Colin Gunn, serving 35 years for conspiracy to murder said that he was allowed to set up the account by prison bosses. His account was shut down on Friday because of his threatening word put on his website. A spokesman for Britain’s Ministry of Justice said prisoners only have access to the Internet for education purposes and should not use social networking sites. They will ensure there will not be any material published to breach the law.
My own opinion is prisoners have the right to get the access to the Internet, because it will be easier for them to communicate with other people in the society, which can avoid leading to the situation that they will be out of the society after their release and can do nothing good to the society. However, they cannot put any material which breaches the law, or to threaten others. Because it is bad for social development. In this situation, the right of having the access to the Internet should be confiscated.
By Kevin
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I do not think it is a good idea to let prisoners "communicate with other people" on the Internet. Like attracts like. Besides what was reported in the news above, what if a prisoner contact his old bad companions through the Internet? He may get mixed up with them again after his release. What if a prisoner connive with others online at some crimes or commit cybercrimes?
ReplyDeleteI support the policy of Britain’s Ministry of Justice that "prisoners only have access to the Internet for education purposes and should not use social networking sites". Therefore prisoners can keep track of the movement and development in society, while having no chance to contact other baddies or commit crimes online.