Do you think prison inmates should be put on supervised public work crews?

1. 94

   cat on a soapboxposted 11 years ago

   Do you think prison inmates should be put on supervised public work crews?
   
   In times of budget woes and deteriorating infrastructure/ urban blight, low-risk inmates seem an untapped resource for labor. Why not have them work off the costs of their incarceration?

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2. 52

   Misty Bernandesposted 11 years ago

   While I do agree that , using low-risk inmates for labor is a good idea and infact they do use them from time to time. The dangers though are, trumping up charges to throw people in prison to be used for free labor.

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   1. 94

      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Here in Californa our prisons are overcrowded, and some offenders are given early parole. Thanks for commenting!

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3. 0

   Justsilvieposted 11 years ago

   Prisoners are already used as cheap labor. The corporations profit and we the taxpayers' pay the expenses. And of course one of the biggest profiteers of this is Walmart. As usual!

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   1. 0

      Justsilvieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I do agree they should be put to work for the government or state or even as part of a restitution process to their victims, but for a corporation for their profit is a form of slavery.

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   2. 60

      djashburnalposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Walmart has never used inmate labor. Walmart sells unsold products to liquidators, these companies use inmate labor. Saying walmart does is the same as saying if you sell a car and the new owner speeds, breaking the law, you get to pay the ticket

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   3. 94

      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree w/ you that prisoners should not provide "fo profit" labor. Thank you for commenting.

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   4. 0

      Justsilvieposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Read up on Walmart's membership in Alec and it has nothing to do with their unsold products.

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4. 79

   mkjohnston81posted 11 years ago

   I must agree with Justsilvie.  We do use inmates as cheap labor already.  Please note though, it's cheap labor, not free.  Inmates do get paid for their work, its just not much (like 25 cents per hour).  Inmates in low security work camps tend to do road crew work, while higher security compounds employ inmates in factory work such as making license plates, furniture, and in the case of the prison I used to work at, rebuilding starters for car engines.  I totally agree with the state putting inmates to work on road crews, making license plates and such.  I'm not a big fan of private industries running what are basically sweatshops out of prisons though.  Some people disagree with me on this, but I feel it's just a way of outsourcing a company to maximize profits (and reduce jobs available to free citizens), while still keeping the "made in the US" label.

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   1. 94

      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that for-profit organixzations should NOT use prison labor. I am a proponent of using tax-supported prisoners for work crews on roadwork, weed clearance, trash-pick-up, and clean-up of grafitti and urban blight. I appreciate your comments.

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5. 60

   djashburnalposted 11 years ago

   People talk about what's best for us, but what about the prisoners. I live in a community where federal prisoners do work in landscaping public buildings and maintain certain recreation areas. They seem to enjoy the chance to work outside, make contact with people, and I assume the pay they'll receive when they get out is paramount to them starting fresh. All the inmates here are white collar and drugs, no violent offenses.
   
   Besides, how long would it take a felon to start commiting crimes if he's forced to restart his life with absolutely nothing?

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   1. 94

      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that it is a win-win situation.  I appreciate your thoughtful response.

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6. 72

   lburmasterposted 11 years ago

   I thought they kind of were. In most of the prisons around here, they are assigned to a duty. Some work the cotton fields, others clean the prison, a few do laundry, one or two is in charge of the prison running smoothly, etc. I forgot what they usually do instead of that...

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   1. 94

      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, that's true.I am referring to public areas outside of prison where low-risk inmates could help w/ local maintenence  and state highways. Thanks for commenting.

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7. 60

   John Holdenposted 11 years ago

   It seems a bit contradictory to reward people with work when in many cases it was lack of work that got them into prison.

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   1. 94

      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      It"s not a reward. It is free labor for needed city and state projects to help offset the high costs of incarceration.

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   2. 60

      John Holdenposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      But what about  the guys who would have done the jobs for pay?

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   3. 94

      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Would have or should have? State budgets fall short of need, and necessary maintenence by paid contractors and crew cannot be funded. Taxpayers pay to fund prison costs, so let prisoners pay us back by providing labor for those services.

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8. 83

   Becky Katzposted 11 years ago

   The counties around me use inmate labor to do things for the county. They mow lawns at the courthouse and other government buildings. They clean the courthouse and grounds as well as the Police and Sheriff;s Dept. They have someone helping at the Rescue Squad and Fire Dept, cleaning and cooking meals for them. They also clean the side of the road. The inmates get out a day earlier for each day that they work.

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   1. 94

      cat on a soapboxposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks for the great information!  It sounds like a sensible plan.

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