New York City spent more than $59,000 on video games for prisoners to maintain their discipline

The New York City Department of Corrections has decided to improve discipline in the city's prisons in a rather unusual way and purchase games for PlayStation consoles.

Here's What We Know

The department spent more than $59,000 on PlayStation video games, including Mortal Kombat 1, Street Fighter 6, Madden NFL, and NBA 2K. A total of 1,247 copies of the games were purchased. It would be ironic if copies of A Way Out, where you have to escape from prison in a co-operative, were also purchased.

According to an officer with many years of experience, during the week, groups of prisoners from separate wings take turns gathering in the recreation rooms to play games.

Those who behave well get access to the consoles. This makes prisoners stop fighting and breaking the rules in prison.

But some in the public have criticised the department's decision because it spends taxpayers' money on games for prisoners.

Benny Boschio, chairman of the Prison Officers' Benevolent Association, criticised the agency for spending money on games instead of providing for immediate needs such as air conditioning for inmates and prison staff during the heatwave.

Source: nypost