3 ms·

Why couldn't the arrangement be that a repeat "guest" is paid for 10 or 20% less each time they stay? (To be strictly fair, that structure should apply to parol

Why couldn't the arrangement be that a repeat "guest" is paid for 10 or 20% less each time they stay? (To be strictly fair, that structure should apply to parole officers, half-way houses, and other providers working to rehabilitate release prisoners.) I've given this 30s of thought so I'm more than happy to be shown to be very wrong about this idea.

P7YMZ99N47Q0 8y ago
Fun idea, another 30 seconds of thought: flip it around and just pay the prisoner to stay out. You get $10k for every year you don't return to prison after leaving, for some amount of time. Also might help ex-cons stay on their feet. Adjust figures and timing as necessary so that it's worth your while, but doesn't incentivize gaming the system too much. This is cheaper to the state than the prison time anyway.
- jandrese 8y ago
  Won't work for two reasons: 1. You now have an incentive to commit a crime and spend time in prison. People will rightfully ask why they don't get $10k a year for not breaking the law. 2. It could reduce recidivism, and isn't strictly punitive. It's incompatible with the way the US runs prisons.
  - P7YMZ99N47Q0 8y ago
    #1a is a question of figures. It would likely work better for crimes with unnecessarily long sentences, or that are unlikely to be repeated. The goal is to help keep people afloat while they build a new life. Worst case, some amount of "fraud" is probably expected and just built into the cost of the program. #1b might be improved with proper framing. Effective politicians are good at spinning proposals a particular way. E.g. depending on who you're presenting the idea to, emphasize how the offer goes away if you break strict conduct rules, or maybe you can only do it once, or you talk about it in terms of how long it will take for the state to earn a profit, etc. I'm not touching #2.
  - ada1981 8y ago
    Perhaps you get UBI of $12k a year and it’s taken away while in prison to cover your costs.

P7YMZ99N47Q0 8y ago

Fun idea, another 30 seconds of thought: flip it around and just pay the prisoner to stay out. You get $10k for every year you don't return to prison after leaving, for some amount of time. Also might help ex-cons stay on their feet. Adjust figures and timing as necessary so that it's worth your while, but doesn't incentivize gaming the system too much. This is cheaper to the state than the prison time anyway.

jandrese 8y ago
Won't work for two reasons: 1. You now have an incentive to commit a crime and spend time in prison. People will rightfully ask why they don't get $10k a year for not breaking the law. 2. It could reduce recidivism, and isn't strictly punitive. It's incompatible with the way the US runs prisons.
- P7YMZ99N47Q0 8y ago
  #1a is a question of figures. It would likely work better for crimes with unnecessarily long sentences, or that are unlikely to be repeated. The goal is to help keep people afloat while they build a new life. Worst case, some amount of "fraud" is probably expected and just built into the cost of the program. #1b might be improved with proper framing. Effective politicians are good at spinning proposals a particular way. E.g. depending on who you're presenting the idea to, emphasize how the offer goes away if you break strict conduct rules, or maybe you can only do it once, or you talk about it in terms of how long it will take for the state to earn a profit, etc. I'm not touching #2.
- ada1981 8y ago
  Perhaps you get UBI of $12k a year and it’s taken away while in prison to cover your costs.