The Failure of the American Prison System

Can we as a country fix the problem that is our prison system? I think that we could if only the politicians would allow it to happen. The answer is as simple as education and job skills. Prisoners today are learning nothing more than how to become better criminals. They take what others in the system and build on it. They have nothing but time to see the mistakes that they made and how not to get caught when they get out. The drug problem is the main reason for the over population of our prisons and we should force inmates to take drug treatment classes. We need to abolish mandatory minimum sentences as they serve no purpose other than to send people to prison. It neither deters or scares anyone from their actions. Prisons should be self sustaining. We as tax payers should not have to foot the bill for the incarceration of others. They should raise their own live stock, grow their own vegetables, and process it all themselves. This provides a skill base for when they are released. Inmates should also be forced to earn a high school diploma if they do not have one or a college education before they are eligible for release. They have the time so why not make them do something to better themselves. This makes sense to me as a person on the outside looking in. It may cost money to provide these things to begin with but there would be less repeat offenders and save money in the long run. I hope that someone reads this who is in a position to do something about the problem so that they can see a couple of simple solutions to a very complex problem. If anyone else has a suggestion to fix this growing problem please leave a comment or if they see a flaw in my plan of action let me know about that as well. Only by working together can we make this world a better place. I am not one of those people who believe that there way is the best way or the only way so I am open to suggestions.