What are some jobs that prisoners could do that would benefit society while they

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   davenmidtownposted 13 years ago

   What are some jobs that prisoners could do that would benefit society while they server their time?
   
   Do prisoners still make license plates?  What other jobs could they do to reduce the cost of housing and caring for them during their incarceration ?

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   Man from Modestoposted 13 years ago

   depending on risk factors and level of security required, I would like to see opportunities to do work that will equate to a livable income once they are out of prison.
   
   For example: auto repair for state vehicles, or even for paying citizen-customers. And, this should be in an accredited program that issues a certificate. Likewise, any degree that can be earned online and provides good pay: business, paralegal, psychology... these can be earned online and can open doors to good jobs.
   
   Being caged in with criminals is punishment enough. They have no freedom. What society needs is for them to be offered rehabilitation.

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      Victoria Anneposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I went on a trip to a prison for my Age of Legality class in high school and they had a program similar to this. I'm not sure how it worked but there was one prisoner who was eligible to take an auto mechanic licensing test as soon as he was out.

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   Larry Wallposted 13 years ago

   Good question--do not have a good answer. Obviously, there is the picking up litter on the side of the road, which is helpful. In Louisiana, prisoners are used as janitorial and maintenance people in some public buildings. The Governor's mansion is staffed by convicts, who act as waiters at formal dinners. Most of them are in prison for life because of a crime they committed in their youth. Those that have the waiters jobs are usually in the 60s.
   
   I do not want to see states go back to the old chain gang days, where prisoners built roads and other public works projects.
   
   Prisoners do maintain many public vehicles. Convicts at the state prison build coffins for the inmates who die in jail and have no family. They also farm a large area, allowing the prison to supply its own fruits and vegetables and some daily products.
   
   So having said all of this, I guess there are a lot of things that prisoners already do that help society.

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   alphagirlposted 13 years ago

   That depends on what they were in jail for. I would not feel comfortable if an ax murder was realeased or a pedophile in my neighborhood. I don't know that they have any real rights to a job. Yet, I don't fell like I want my tax dollars giving them a free ride. Maybe a factory to build pats to save on exporting labor costs for all manufacturing.

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   Druid Dudeposted 13 years ago

   They've already done so much...what can I say? I've always been in support of space exploration, and would say that Lunar mining ops and Martian mining ops would be best, but, alas, that is still a few years off. I think that for now, a self sufficiency program is the best way to go. Turn 'em into farmers and let them raise their own food. It would relieve the tax burden a bit. I get tired of supporting people who I wouldn't invite to dinner. Teach em how to make blankets and prison uniforms, shoes, etc. Everything they make relieves the tax burden. Paint the walls pink and play "Happy Music" until lights out. Let them test safety equipment, and sign waivers so they can be used to further mankind's knowledge.

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   onegoodwomanposted 13 years ago

   My first thought is that if their particular area is condusive, let them grow crops.   They could supply themselves and fellow inmates with numerous vegetables.  If land is available, perhaps raise dairy or beef cattle.  Any abundance could be given to any numerous causes:  homeless shelters, poor families,  to feed the parents of patients in children's hospitals, ( think, Ronald McDonald house ) soup kitchens, sold for fund raising ( lots of causes).........
   
   
   If their climate is not suited to farming, perhaps they could make furniture for those in dire need........perhaps they can weave blankets, fashion children's clothing for the low income, teach someone to read........all incarcerated are not stupid or lacking in education.
   
   
   Society just needs to give them credit for their contribution.
   
   They perform, they are rewarded........................it is the way of the American working class.

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   pagesvoiceposted 13 years ago

   In New York State at the Auburn Correctional Facility all of our State's license plates are made there.

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   Wesman Todd Shawposted 13 years ago

   Prisoners are ALREADY DOING JUST THAT.  Obviously, you've not been to prison, or known many felons that have.
   
   I guess I should clear something up here - I live in Texas.  I do not know about other states.
   
   In Texas - every single TDC inmate must work while in prison, and most prisons are self sustaining - they do have industry, they often grow their own food, have in house maintenance of facilities - so forth and so on.
   
   They are damned well punished by being there - bet that.
   
   Furthermore - corporate amoral America is not done punishing an inmate when he or she is released - former inmates ARE NEVER FORGIVEN FOR THEIR CRIMES AND CAN NEVER GET A DECENT JOB AGAIN.

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      davenmidtownposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It is interesting how society keeps track of things...

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   rlahaposted 13 years ago

   I always see prisoners helping to clean the roads from litter and also help with landscaping of the side of highways. They can also help to pick up trash from houses (with supervision of course).  They can help to rebuild roads (or at least fill in potholes) and help to shovel snow from the roads in the winter.  Good question!

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    ackman1465posted 13 years ago

    There is an adjustment to the penal system that I would like to see.... which change is tangential to this question.....  To wit:
    
    When a person murders or injures someone else, or inflicts property damage upon someone ... .and that (crime) results in a hardship for the family of the victim.... I would like to see that perpetrator be allowed to have gainful employment for the duration of his/her punishment.... WITH THE REWARDS (income) OF THAT EMPLOYMENT GOING TO THE FAMILY OF THE VICTIM!!!!!!

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    The Frog Princeposted 13 years ago

    Pick up trash along the highways and byways since they don't want to institute Workfare for welfare recipients.
    
    The Frog

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