Hi,
I must admit to feeling a little uncomfortable with some of the views
expressed during the "prisoners playing pbm" discussion.
First of all I should say that I have written turns for a PBM which had
a couple of inmates (on both sides of the Atlantic). They were both
totally open about it and there was only one person who objected to
having his address known to them - so I merely removed that players
address from the game listing.
Over the course of a number of years I had no problems whatsover with
the people concerned, and even received a couple of letters from prison
wardens saying that playing PBM seemed to be proving a positive
influence and had played a part in the the man in question getting early
parole. And yes, one of the people in question had been found guilty of
murder (in fact was on death row in one of the US states - I forget
which).
A couple of people have said that they would be unhappy about playing
with prison inmates. But would you be less unhappy playing with someone
who had previously done time for murder or child abuse and is now at
large? I can't see that you can fairly say that you are more unhappy
about a murderer who is in prison than one who has done his time and is
now at liberty again. And I'm bound to say that to continue
discrimination against someone who has served the penalty of law is just
not on - I'm sorry, but it's the way our society works.
Would you really have GM's screen all applicants to a game to check that
they have not done anything in the past which would offend players? Not
only is that an unreasonable request to the GM but it is ethically
outrageous. Actually it may well now be illegal under the Human Rights
Act as well.
There are a lot of nutters at large in our society. If you are worried
about someone getting hold of your address who might be a a potential
criminal, than I can only suggest asking the GM not to list your
address. Several GM's of my aquaintance regularly have players these
days who only list their email address, so if you're worried about such
things, that's clearly what to do about it. Please don't take the
complex issue of judgement upon yourself or ask your GM to screen every
applicant to the game.
Colin.