In some countries, prisoners may purchase books with the money they earn by working. Hence, receiving gifts of books may discourage prisoners from undertaking paid work while in prison. This work is important in building self-esteem and encouraging a work ethic among prisoners. In any case, prisoners have access to books through the prison library. Therefore prisoners should not be allowed to receive parcels containing books from friends or relatives while they are serving their sentence. Which one of the following, if true, most strengthens the above argument?
Full explanation
The argument states that allowing prisoners to receive books as gifts may discourage them from working, which is important for their self-esteem and work ethic. It concludes that prisoners should only access books through the prison library instead of receiving them from relatives or friends.
To strengthen this argument, we need a statement that further justifies why preventing book parcels is beneficial---either by supporting the idea that prisoners should work or that library access is sufficient.
Option A Explanation:
A\) Many parcels of books sent by relatives or friends have been found to contain illegal drugs.
Correct. This strengthens the argument by adding a security concern---if book parcels can be used to smuggle drugs, banning them becomes more reasonable.
Option B Explanation:
B\) Prisoners often read detective stories which may encourage them to glamorise crime.
Irrelevant. The argument is about discouraging work, not book content.
Option C Explanation:
C\) The range of books available in prison libraries is limited.
Weakens the argument. If the library selection is limited, banning book parcels reduces prisoners' access to books, making the policy less justified.
Option D Explanation:
D\) Many prisoners have difficulty finding work when they are released because of their low level of literacy.
Irrelevant. The argument is about prison work ethic, not literacy levels after release.
Option E Explanation:
E\) Prisoners have to purchase a range of items from their wages, including a television licence.
Irrelevant. This does not support the idea that banning book parcels encourages work.