Published: January 10, 2005
Sell the Cell
By Diana Hall
I keep coming across the same question, the same dilemma. Are prisons used for punishment or for rehabilitation? Which is better? Which is more effective? And why should the ordinary law -abiding citizen even have to think about these things?
And then there are the arguments. Mentally ill people are put in prisons instead of hospitals. All prisoners are crazy anyway, or they wouldn't act that way. We treat prisoners too harshly. We baby prisoners.
There is an answer to the overcrowded, understaffed schools of crime that we now call prisons. Victims may get the satisfaction of seeing the perpetrator of their crime put in prison. Or they may not. If so, the prisoner spends years trying not to get in trouble, get beaten, or even get killed. If he (I will use the generic he from now on) manages all of this, he is released, with possibly $14.50 in his pocket and a world that has changed and now has no use for him. He now needs to become a "productive member of society."
What comes to mind when you hear the word "sweatshop", Is it Kathy Lee Gifford's clothing made in Honduras? Is it Nike opening a plant in Pakistan? Most large companies will continue to want to pay pennies on the dollar for labor to make more of a profit. Americans, however, still want products made in America.
Now, I am assuming that if you can read this, you can add 1+1. So, why have we not opened factories inside of the prisons? Is it because "they" can't be trusted with the machinery? Okay, let me try the oldest known effective secret in the world. "You can catch more flies with honey", In other words, make him earn whatever he gets in prison. He can have food and a place to sleep just for being there. Cooperation and work ethic will get him things like -TV privilege, recreation time, etc. Almost sounds like the real world, right?
Who benefits from this plan? First and foremost, society. After all, someone coming into the workplace with work ethics, a skill and more than a little self esteem can't be a bad thing, right? Next, who will get the money he is paid? How about a victim repayment plan? And Child Support? And yes, even a few cents a day put in an account for when he gets out. How about helping to support the penal system?
Most importantly, and please pay attention to this, if even one person is released and goes on to a steady job rather than back to old habits, several people will not be victimized by him. You, Your child?
I am sure that the red tape for what will be called a "naïve" plan would be enormous. I am also sure that if handled correctly, it could and would work! Any takers?
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