by John P. Zerillo

About the author: John P. Zerillo is the director of public safety in Mercer County, New Jersey, where he manages two county correctional facilities.

We should not be transforming those convicted or accused of breaking the law into stronger, criminal machines. Some number of these strength-trained inmates will be discharged and use illicit force to break the law yet again. Strength training and power development will enable inmates to more effectively threaten, hurt, and kill.

There is considerable controversy about whether inmates should be lifting weights in jails and prisons. Some professionals contend that weightlifting is a worthwhile activity for inmates. Others contend that weightlifting endangers the public safety.

A Threat to Public Safety

Weightlifting equipment has been removed from correctional facilities in Arizona, Wisconsin, Utah, Ohio, and Mississippi. Legislators in...