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Val Uptuous NotAgain's avatar

If the prison cannot define the safety concerns, then they’re using them as an excuse to exert control over the prisoners. If there hasn’t been other lockdowns for other eclipses in the past, then this is petty bullying because some prisoners are interested in something nice. The safety glasses are made of paper and plastic film, not much chance for them being used as a weapon. They’re already providing the glasses for most everyone there, so the eclipse itself isn’t a safety hazard. The darkness is fleeting, maybe it will last long enough for someone to cause an incident, but it’s unlikely. Besides, that’s what you have guards for, and the prisoners don’t need darkness to get out of line. If you think your guards will be distracted, then you need to evaluate your staff better. Besides, seven inmates are easily managed, even in the dark, without too much strain on staffing.

To me this just seems like the prison is being petty.

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Black Hole and DM mourner's avatar

"I’ve seen some criticism online that this case ought to be tossed out because we’re talking about criminals,"

I would agree with the critics if they asked for a special permission to see the eclipse outside the prison or if a significant number of prisoners wanted to watch it.

Refusing in this way looks like the staff do it to exercise their power.

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