>>>>>>Considering this country's history with 'pay for play' prisons - particularly in the South, one would think we'd have learned. But then, that would require remembering such history.
>>>>>>
>>>>>>I don't remember the specific percentages (and am too lazy to look 'em up right now), but when a (comparitively) HUGE percentage of the prison population are there on relatively minor pot charges, it may be time to rethink the whole thing.
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>You seem to complain about too many prisons. So is it rich republicans that benefit from the over-prisoning the population? Let me tell you who. It is the fat, ugly, dumb, and lazy prison guards (I don't mean to stereotyping though <g>) who, if not for the numerous prisons, would be in a prison themselves or in another branch of the government. And don't you love all the government that you can get!? <g>. Just another government stimulus <g>.
>>>>
>>>>I'm not complaining about too many prisons, per se, but too many 'for profit' prisions who then contract for services to the outside world undercutting other businesses. Now, before you jump on the 'Oh, you think prisoners should just sit and rot' boat, no. I do believe that education and/or job training should be available for those who want to avail themselves of it. The problem is that the 'for profit' prisons have, in effect, brought back the chain gangs and corruption in the local judical systems (on occassion), especially in Louisiana.
>>>>
>>>>http://www.nola.com/prisons/
>>>
>>>Recently here a company featured in the news for sacking staff and employing convicts at £3.00 per day
>>>
>>>http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/aug/08/prisoners-call-centre-fired-staff?newsfeed=true
>>>
>>>I'm happy to see that convicts be able to get jobs etc but I can't see why a private company should be able to increase their profits like this.
>>
>>I find it quite ironic since back in the 70's (iirc) the prison in Rosharon (outside of Houston) was sued by the ACLU because they were selling surplus cotton fabric in the local store for way less than anyone else could sell it. The prisoners grew the cotton, ginned it, spun it, wove it and used it for prison uniforms, sheets, etc. Anything left over was sold at (I think) .25/yard and any money made went into the prisoner's 'accounts' for use in the prison commisary.
>>
>>The ACLU won the lawsuit.
>
>Using prisoners to profit on cotton -- cute.

Actually, the only way the prison 'profitted' was with a lower cost of clothing and sheets. Any money made from the sales went was split among the prisoners who actually did the work (and doing wth work was actually voluntary, iirc).