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Is there a reason we should be against work programs? There are moral hazards, but to my knowledge having something constructive to do & being able to make a li
by sliverstorm 11y ago
Is there a reason we should be against work programs? There are moral hazards, but to my knowledge having something constructive to do & being able to make a little money have positive effects on rehabilitation, reintegration, and daily prison life.
- ceejayoz 11y ago> Is there a reason we should be against work programs? Inherently? No. Work programs where the pay is a tenth or less that of even minimum wage, though, are easily abused.
- tedunangst 11y agoSounds like the solution is to pay them nothing and call it "training".
- thatcat 11y agoSince they are paid less than minimum wage it's unfair to external workers and should be illegal. If they cost less than non prisoners to employ and have their food/housing subsidized by tax payers - no one will ever compete for the same jobs. It's nearly-free labor for companies subsidized by everyone else.
- sliverstorm 11y agoSo we subsidize the employment of prisoners to help with their reintegration back into society. I don't see the problem. Hell, so long as it's effective, we're saving money in the long run. Money spent curbing recidivism pays for itself, considering a prisoner costs tens of thousands of dollars a year. Also, it's not like prisoners are competing for the best jobs. There are heavy restrictions on their employment (part of why a strong incentive is needed to make them employable) so they are unlikely to be competing for software development jobs anytime soon. They do things like clean roadsides and stamp license plates.