Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: Rugby behind bars

Friday, January 28, 2011

Rugby behind bars - Unit 9, Buenos Aires, Argentina

As anyone who’s ever played rugby knows, the sport and its culture has a unique factor that can be life changing in many ways. Inmates at a Buenos Aires prison have been lucky enough to be exposed to the game, and have since flourished.

Someone posted a link to this video on the forum earlier today so I had a look, and it’s got to be said, it’s quite moving. Despite the guys involved being hardened criminals subjected to a life behind bars, the joy they get from playing is great to see.

Through the initiative of one inmate, this prison in Argentina took on a rugby program to give those who stay there another outlook on life, and a means to get rid of extra pent up tension and aggression.

Yes they’re criminals, and being in prison is punishment for what they’ve done, but they’re just human and if rugby can be the means of reformation, surely it's worth giving them that.

It seems to have worked too, as these guys not only got fit and trained hard whenever possible, but were also able to play a game in the outside world, with their family on the sidelines.

Its fascinating viewing, and just another example of why this is such a great metaphor for life. Respect, honour, humility. If nothing else, at least some of those in Unit 9, and now other facilities around the world, will have learnt something through playing the great game of rugby.

Time: 06:41
Note: Thanks to Total Rugby for the great feature

What a great initiative....not sure it'd work for guantanimo, but argi's are doing good there !

By DEO, at January 28, 2011 7:58 pm
that 12 looked quite handy...

By Anonymous, at January 28, 2011 8:24 pm
it's about time people noticed what rugby can do for people, it should be promoted in communities where people are more likely to make the wrong decisions before those decisions are made!

By loi, at January 28, 2011 8:42 pm
Heavens Game indeed.

By EARugbyFan, at January 28, 2011 8:57 pm
Excellent story, it does show the powers of Rugby Union.

By Anonymous, at January 28, 2011 9:03 pm
The guy at the end looks a lot like Mel Gibson!

Great video, good on them.

By Phil, at January 28, 2011 9:15 pm
i think the first thing to teach them was to put there shirts on the right way round

By Anonymous, at January 28, 2011 9:56 pm
RD WHY WAS MY PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE COMMENT ABOUT THE FACT MURDERERS SHOULD LOSE THE RIGHT TO PLAY OUR FANTASTIC SPORT DELETED?

By Anonymous, at January 28, 2011 10:38 pm
at Anonymous:
I think you should lose the right to comment!

By Anonymous, at January 28, 2011 10:47 pm
It's probably better to have them use their aggression in a game of rugby than stab another inmate etc. It gives them something to actually keep on the straight an narrow for.

By box, at January 28, 2011 11:14 pm
This team should be made play the All Blacks. That would put an end to their criminal ways. The All Blacks would win easily.

By Anonymous, at January 28, 2011 11:41 pm
Anonymous with the Caps, I'm sorry for your troubles. You must find it hard to live with yourself being such a twat.

On the video, since when did rugby become so emotional. Funny how it takes hardened criminals to soften our sport.

By Anonymous, at January 29, 2011 12:02 am
Thanks RD. That's a gem.

By Nico, at January 29, 2011 12:21 am
Let me update this story. A Buenos aires justice officer forbide them to play outside the prision again. Mostly because some complaints coming from the relatives of the victims. They are still playing, but inside the unit.

By DP, at January 29, 2011 3:03 am
This is the type of story that non-rugby people can't and won't ever understand how rugby affects your entire life.

By ReactorField, at January 29, 2011 5:29 am
Hey, some of the rugby on display there was quite skill full I thought for such an amateur level! but then Argentina in my opinion have always been one of the most naturally gifted rugby nations! These people have committed crimes and yes should be punished, but they're also PEOPLE, who deserve the opportunity to better themselves, and develop new skills for that even harsher now, outside world!

By Alexander, at January 29, 2011 6:18 am
RD WHY WAS MY PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE COMMENT ABOUT THE FACT MURDERERS SHOULD LOSE THE RIGHT TO PLAY OUR FANTASTIC SPORT DELETED?

--------

Because you're a cunt

By Anonymous, at January 29, 2011 8:45 am
They're scum who the fuck cares

By ElTigre, at January 29, 2011 10:03 am
@ Sir Capsalot, pick a nickname and lower the tone.

By Greiffel, at January 29, 2011 10:03 am
Nice story. Prisons should be about rehabilitation and rugby, along side other sports, can play a role in this.

Rugby, however, is pretty unique in that it teaches people discipline, skills, is viable for any body shape/size and is the ultimate team sport - you can barely do any-thing by yourself.

Its obvious rugby has given the prisoners an identity and given their lives meaning again - plus when they leave prison, rugby can be a valuable tool in forming new friendships.

By Wolfman, at January 29, 2011 10:30 am
RD WHY WAS MY PERFECTLY LEGITIMATE COMMENT ABOUT THE FACT MURDERERS SHOULD LOSE THE RIGHT TO PLAY OUR FANTASTIC SPORT DELETED?

Probably because you have missed the point completely and your a cunt!!

By Anonymous, at January 29, 2011 10:41 am
I found the whole thing a bit weird, what about the victims & the families of those who have been killed/attacked etc. Imagine if your family member had been killed would you be happy with the guys getting let out of jail to play rugby? To me that is not justice. I can guarantee all of you guys commenting saying its touching wouldnt be saying that if you were the victim. If rugby can make them a better person thats excellent, but there has to be some justice

By Anonymous, at January 29, 2011 10:53 am
FOR ALL THE IDIOTS CALLING ME A C**T (WHICH IN ITSELF IS VULGAR AND UNCALLED FOR) FOR MY PREVIOUS COMMENT, IMAGINE IT WAS YOUR MOTHER ONE OF THESE GUYS KILLED OR RAPED. WOULD YOU BE SO HAPPY TO SEE THEM RUNNING AROUND HAVING FUN LIKE THIS. I OBVIOUSLY HAVE A GOOD POINT AS THE JUDGE WHO PREVENTED THEM DOING SO AGAIN CLEARLY AGREES WITH ME. DONT BE FOOLED BY THE CRYING AND THE FANCY VIDEO THESE GUYS ARE ANIMALS AND SHOULD BE TREATED AS SUCH.

By Anonymous, at January 29, 2011 10:55 am
Just because a fellow has committed a crime doesn't mean you rob them of every ounce of freedom and humanity. Sure they face their punishment in prison, but prison, as said earlier, should not be about destroying a person, it needs to be about rehabilitation, otherwise people leave prison and reoffend.

Prisons often have psychologists, job advisors, various types of vocational training, so that prisoners can leave prison, and better integrate into society. and hopefully never return to prison.

If rugby can play a role in this, then why shouldn't they be allowed to play the game? You can question whether they should be able to play matches outside of the prisons, but you can't question the role that rugby can play in improving their lives and their life choices.

By Wolfman, at January 29, 2011 11:39 am
Lose the caps please...?!

By CapslockSpaz, at January 29, 2011 11:49 am
We get your point caps-lock anonymous - But would you rather these guys don't find method to seek happyness, release their pent up anger and them leave prison and commit potentially worse crimes (Crimes which could end up being against your family or friends?)

As the previous guy said - Prison is about rehabilitation, not destroying a person - even if you feel they should be destroyed depending on their crime.

By BigBucks, at January 29, 2011 12:15 pm
Great work RD

By Anonymous, at January 29, 2011 2:32 pm
IMAGINE IT WAS YOUR MOTHER ONE OF THESE GUYS KILLED OR RAPED. WOULD YOU BE SO HAPPY TO SEE THEM RUNNING AROUND HAVING FUN LIKE THIS.

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Of course the victims of crimes will hold an emotive position rather than a logical position built on merit.

And I must have missed the bit in the video that said all these guys are rapists.

People in prison are not 'animals'. They're human beings and many fall victim to their enviroment and conditioned behaviour. Furthermore, many are in jail for asinine 'crimes' that fall down to logical scrutiny.

Maybe you should live in Saudi Arabia or another backwards nation. You'd better fit in. The civilised world is no place for you Mr capslock

By Anonymous, at January 29, 2011 6:36 pm
Ideally, the "system" should have these people pay their debts to society by doing the time, but also rehabilitating in the process, so as to be able to go back to society and not repeat themselves.

So, this should be about rehab, and not about society taking revenge on them, as some seem to imply.

As that, it can be questioned that they be let play _outside_ prison, but other than that, if rugby helps in the way of rehab, then I'm all in for this.

By James, at January 29, 2011 10:07 pm
Brilliant spirit shown in this video. These guys have nothing to live for, albeit self inflicted, but everyone makes mistakes in life. You don't know them, what they've been through, and how they got to where they are today.

Either they sit rotting in prison, or they can play rugby and improve as more well rounded individuals who might actually contribute something to society one day.

If you can't see that, well then you're probably the type who is also against same sex marriages. It's 2011. We've evolved.

ElTigre, something quite ironic about your comment.

By Flinto, at January 29, 2011 10:08 pm
It's not like any of the prisoners in the video said they deserved to be let out of prison or that they shouldn't suffer the consequences of their crimes. They're simply finding a way to use their time in prison to give their lives some meaning and better themselves. Brutal, inhumane prison conditions only serve to produce more hardened criminals.

By Anonymous, at January 29, 2011 11:02 pm
where are the PUMAS!!??? came on!!! PUMASS!!! YEAAHHH!!ARGENTINA!!!..

By Anonymous, at January 30, 2011 1:08 am
Damn, if these guys are real convicts, what do we call the Australians now?

By katman, at January 30, 2011 11:39 am
Great video. What better way to reward good behaviour in prison than allowing them to play rugby? Prisons around the world could learn a lot from this.
Prison leagues one day? Doesn't seem too out of the question... Happy days.

By Anonymous, at January 30, 2011 4:08 pm
' box said...
It's probably better to have them use their aggression in a game of rugby than stab another inmate etc. It gives them something to actually keep on the straight an narrow for.

January 28, 2011 11:14 PM'

Untrue actually, if one stabs another and the victim dies then that is one less mouth to fees in prison therefore less taxes...which means more money can be spent on education, and perhaps rugby for those who follow the law and actually get a legitimate job!!!! Instead of being a murderous little prick and getting to enjoy playing rugby all the damn time!!!!!

I'm sure it does incredible things for these people, however I can't help think that the electric chair would help solve these guys issues a little better.

By Von, at January 30, 2011 5:16 pm
i like the underlying cultural diversity that is screaming out of the various posts here.

i personnaly am believing in humans and that they can improve and therefor support these inmates learning values through sport

By Anonymous, at January 30, 2011 5:34 pm
great vid RD.
just imagine if one of the 20 odd players became a business owner of some sort when released; who would he try to help first? the 20 odd brothers who played the beautiful game together or a random dude on the street. if it was the former, imagine the chances of them going back to crime again. a job, friends, support from family; even i wouldn't go back.

By Anonymous, at January 30, 2011 6:29 pm
Imagine if these guys hadn't murdered someone....we wouldn't be watching this video on how rugby changes peoples lives!!! Shit, what we need is more murderers so we can watch more 'rugby saved my life' videos!!!

Let's start a 'Justice for murderers' campaign and wear arm bands when we play.

By Jonno, at January 30, 2011 7:15 pm
How the victims "feel" about this is irrelevant. Prison is about 2 things, protecting the public and rehabilitation. It is NOT about people getting their petty fucking revenge.

By Anonymous, at January 30, 2011 11:07 pm
Your life and comment is pretty fucking irrelevant....

By Von, at January 31, 2011 12:42 am
The immaturity of most of your posts is extraordinary!

Grow up and start talking to each other like civilised human beings!

Cheers RD you do a great job!

By Anonymous, at January 31, 2011 6:51 pm
Don't agree with this sorry. No murderers or rapists should ever be given the pleasure of playing our game to improve their life in prison. They can spend 30 years being rehabbed using other techniques and if they are better then they can join the vets team at their local club.

I know this doesn't apply to the whole team and think it is great to use rugby with criminals otherwise. It can teach you many of the core values that we need in society.

By Vote me PM, at February 01, 2011 1:39 pm
Really good story but other prisons in the UK have had played for a while including Leyhill in Gloucester and the prison on the Isle of Wight...

By Anonymous, at February 01, 2011 11:52 pm
a game of hooligans that turns them into gentlemen nonetheless

By plh, at February 03, 2011 4:48 am