D&D promoting gang activity in prisons?

[Pseudonym]

Not the usual parental scare story, but something odder. Link here.

From the article: The case brought before the Appeals Court argued that D&D inhibited prison security, because "cooperative games can mimic the organization of gangs and lead to the actual development thereof."

I wonder if WotC will end up facing a RICO suit for Encounters?

 

[Aberzanzorax]

*Pictures an edition war West Side Story style*



This MUST be stopped!

 

[Noir le Lotus]

It's not the 1st time that D&D is forbidden in prison.

IIRC, there was a case 3 or 4 years ago where a prisoner has seen all his D&D stuff confiscated because "he was in jail to endure punition, not to have fun".

 

[jodyjohnson]

Maybe it would be OK if the played Gangbusters instead.

 

[Coldwyn]

Not the usual parental scare story, but something odder. Link here.

From the article: The case brought before the Appeals Court argued that D&D inhibited prison security, because "cooperative games can mimic the organization of gangs and lead to the actual development thereof."

I wonder if WotC will end up facing a RICO suit for Encounters?

What´s next? The ability to talk leads to the possibility of revolts? The act of breathing could foster inmate unrest?

Nah. Better give them tv and bodybuilding and everything will turn out fine.

 

[caudor]

If you think about it, the whole thing is just...stupid.

How about Pokemon then? Uh no, that Jigglypuff really makes them want to beat somebody up.

 

[Stoat]

There was a similar case fairly recently that got a lot of discussion on ENWorld. Hell, it may have been this same case when it was decided by the district court.

Legally, prisons have a lot of leeway in deciding how prisoners can and cannot spend their time. If a prison wants to ban an activity, the courts will generally uphold that ban.

 

[Holy Bovine]

It's not the 1st time that D&D is forbidden in prison.

IIRC, there was a case 3 or 4 years ago where a prisoner has seen all his D&D stuff confiscated because "he was in jail to endure punition, not to have fun".

So prison aren't there to rehabilitate only punish. I wonder why so many offenders end up back in prison then?

 

[Jacob Marley]

From the article: "during D&D games, one player is denoted the 'Dungeon Master.' The Dungeon Master is tasked with giving directions to other players, which Muraski testified mimics the organization of a gang."

Alternative #1: "during Basketball games, one player is denoted the 'Point Guard.' The Point Guard is tasked with giving directions to other players, which Muraski testified mimics the organization of a gang."

Alternative #2: "during Art Sessions, one Person is denoted the 'Art Instructor.' The Art Instructor is tasked with giving directions to other Painters, which Muraski testified mimics the organization of a gang."

Alternative #3: "during School, one Person is denoted the 'Teacher.' The Teacher is tasked with giving directions to other Students, which Muraski testified mimics the organization of a gang."

 

[Stoat]

This is a new story about an old case. The opinion the article is talking about came out in January 2010. The lengthy thread that talked about it then is here:

http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/271102-prisoner-not-allowed-play-d-d.html