Weight Lifting in Prisons: A Survey and Recommendations

Abstract

Proper strength training regimens have many well-known benefits. However, given that improper strength training programs can be injurious, should correctional health officials support policy that requires proper strength training techniques? Twenty-five randomly picked prisons in the western United States were surveyed and asked these questions: (a) Are there weights or formal resistance training equipment within the facility? (b) If yes, does the institution have any formal policies established regarding use of that equipment? Twenty-three of the institutions had strength training equipment; only 2 had policies regarding equipment use. Survey results clearly show that most correctional facilities have no policy regarding practice of safe and effective strength training techniques and therefore may fail to achieve the desired results. It is recommended that qualified supervision be present inside all correctional strength training facilities. The qualified personnel in charge should be certified by nationally recognized organizations and should enforce safe lifting policy, including (a) limitations of one repetition maximum lifts allowed at least six repetitions should be performed for each exercise for most inmates, (b) emphasis on slow and controlled lifting movements only, and (c) emphasis on proper warm-up and cooldown procedures.

Prisoners’ Round: Examining the Literature on Recreation and Exercise in Correctional Facilities

“…In addition to the reasons to remove exercise equipment from correctional facilities, a number of disadvantages have been identified in relation to the presence of strength training in prison settings, which further the argument that exercise equipment should have no place in such facilities (Amtmann, Barryman, & Fisher, 2003). First, the use of such equipment will result in larger and stronger inmates that may be better able to overpower other inmates and prison staff members.…”

“…Finally, there is the simple fact that exercise equipment is fairly expensive to buy and maintain, which is money that could be put to better use elsewhere in the facility. (Amtmann, Barryman, & Fisher, 2003).…”

“…Considering that some individuals may not care about the personal and psychological benefits awarded to inmates who actively participate in exercise regimens, it may be more persuasive to point out the role of exercise equipment as an incentive and tool for behavior management within correctional facilities. When approached with questions regarding the importance of exercise equipment in their facilities, correctional staff and inmates alike hold that such amenities are a mechanism for prison management; making exercise equipment available to inmates keeps them occupied with something productive, which reduces the time available for them to participate in illicit activities, and can also be used as part of a reward system for good behavior (Amtmann, Barryman, & Fisher, 2003;Applegate, 2001;Braxton-Mintz, 2009). In this regard, access to exercise equipment and recreational activities can be employed by correctional facilities as a tool to encourage positive behavior and, in efforts to punish inmates for poor behavior, access to such luxuries can be revoked.…”

“…Without exercise equipment in the facilities, it may be more likely that inmates will exhibit physical and psychological health issues that will require medical treatment. If higher numbers of individuals require medical treatment, there will be an increase in money, typically from tax dollars, spent on treating the inmates (Amtmann, Barryman, & Fisher, 2003). It has also been found that implementing exercise programs is cheaper than a facility having to pay for items broken or damaged as a result of prison misconduct, which is reduced when inmates partake in regular exercise (Braxton-Mintz, 2009).…”

“…It has also been found that implementing exercise programs is cheaper than a facility having to pay for items broken or damaged as a result of prison misconduct, which is reduced when inmates partake in regular exercise (Braxton-Mintz, 2009). Money may also be saved in terms of manpower: one study has shown that less supervision of inmates is required when they are engaged in exercise activities (Amtmann, Barryman, & Fisher, 2003). In terms of the policy's monetary benefits, on the other hand, facilities are likely to save a considerable amount of money if they get rid of exercise equipment because expensive new equipment will not have to be purchased to replace broken equipment and the facility will not have to set aside money for equipment maintenance (Amtmann, Barryman, & Fisher, 2003).…”