A common argument against offering minimum wage work or advanced technical training to prisoners is that this reduces the disincentive of prison time. From a pu

A common argument against offering minimum wage work or advanced technical training to prisoners is that this reduces the disincentive of prison time. From a purely logical standpoint I can see how that makes some amount of sense, but in reality I don't think anybody committing petty or significant crimes would be swayed one way or the other over the opportunity for $7/hour in prison. The lack of freedom - to see family, friends, live an actual life - that's the disincentive. Not to mention the employment and housing prospects of a convicted felon, which are terrible.