Prisoners to be given Nintendo DS for “brain training”

By Rory Reynolds

PRISONERS in Scotland are to be given Nintendo DS consoles to improve their reading and maths skills.

A report by the Scottish government concluded that it would be “motivational” for cons to play “brain training” games.

The Scottish Prison Service could fork out up to £149 per console and £20 per game for the trial scheme, which could see the practice rolled out across Scotland.

However critics have branded the scheme a “gimmick”, adding that many families can’t afford a games console for their own kids.

The study, Learning in Custody: Report of the Offender Learning in Custody Workstream, suggested the success of primary school pupils catching up with brain training games could be replicated in prison.