Because they are basic communication and learning tools.
If you want your prisoners to have some skill besides crime to support themselves upon release, it’s a good idea to let them use computers.
More disturbing is the real-money credit system for this and the profit motive inherent in it. Profit and prisons are an incredibly dangerous mix.
Yeah, give them computers so they can learn how to commit crimes via those computers, because that's just what they'll do. Take it from a 25 year retiree of NY State's DOCS.
If they want a REAL education, I’m good with that. But, their computers should be programmed with the course material, including all reading assignments and only the research material needed to complete the course. Access to the WWW should not extend beyond that. I suppose monitored emails to family members only could be allowed, as well, though writing a letter instead, wouldn’t hurt them.