Broadmoor patients get given Wiis

By Robert Purchese Published 4 January, 2010

Yorkshire Ripper likes to bowl, says The Sun.

Broadmoor Hospital, Britain's high-security psychiatric hospital and home to many of the nation's most notorious criminals, has bought a truck-load of Nintendo Wiis.

A Broadmoor spokesperson said the machines - 22 in total, worth around £4000) - are being used as part of a new program to help the patients exercise. And they're going down so well that extra Wii remotes are being ordered.

The Sun cites an inside source as having watched Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper, playing Wii Sports bowling while convicted murderer Robert Napper watched.

"When you think of their crimes and the misery they have caused, you have to ask if it's right for society to pay to entertain them. This cash could have been spent improving care in the wider NHS. In the meantime all we hear is laughter as patients play with their new toys," said the Sun's source.

Eurogamer couldn't reach Broadmoor Hospital for comment, but a Department of Health spokesperson offered us the following statement.

"Patient access to computer equipment recognises the importance of computing technology in supporting patient care and well-being. Access will be based on local hospital suitability and individual risk assessment," the spokesperson told Eurogamer.

"Any computer games available will be subject to a suitability and risk review. Many games are likely to be considered inappropriate for patients."

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About Robert Purchese

Bertie is Eurogamer's Senior Staff Writer. When he's not hunting down news stories he's often found playing with his kids or gabbling about fantasy games and strange online worlds.

Read more articles from Robert by visiting the Robert Purchese archive page.

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