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Deputy Minister of Justice Michał Woś reacts sharply to a tweet by Janina Ochojska, Civic Platform (PO) Member of the European Parliament, disapproving the ceremony of flag consecration for two penitentiary units in Wrocław.
On May 19th, a ceremony was held to present and consecrate flags for the No. 1 Penitentiary and the Detention Center in Wroclaw.
Janina Ochojska commented on Kempa’s post in an unambiguous manner, questioning the importance of such ceremonies for inmates and suggesting that the funds spent on flags could have been better utilized to meet prisoners’ needs.
The politician stated that prisoners have all the rights they need and that the deprivation of liberty serves not only a rehabilitative purpose but also as a punishment.
“Prisoners have as many rights as they need. We teach them that they have to be self-supporting: about 96% of those who can work do it, and since January they have been paying for electricity.
Michał Woś responded.
If you asked them what they wanted, they would lie in front of the TV all day. Like when you ruled – that’s why they massively vote for you and your party., Civic Platform (PO).”,
The exchange of opinions between Janina Ochojska and Michał Woś highlights a broader debate on the role of ceremonies and the allocation of resources within the penitentiary system. While Kempa emphasizes the significance of such events for the morale and sense of duty among prison staff, Ochojska questions whether the funds could be better utilized to address the needs of the incarcerated population. Woś, on the other hand, emphasizes the balance between rights and responsibilities, asserting that the primary purpose of incarceration is not solely rehabilitation but also punishment.
The discourse sheds light on the complexities and challenges of managing correctional facilities, as policymakers strive to strike a balance between punishment, rehabilitation, and the allocation of limited resources.