On Mon, 26 Jun 2000 22:29:43 +0800, J J Young wrote:
> I hear the US uses members of the prison population to work
> as call-handlers. In the UK there is development of speech recognition and
> knowledge management software for that purpose.
> We live in interesting times...
> Jake
In the US, a well-behaved prison inmate may apply for jobs under what is
known as the "work-release" program. I know how this system works because
I once had a friend and co-worker who was enrolled in such a program. Under
this program the employer pays what the inmate would have normally earned in
his position to a fund that is used to help pay for the operational costs
of the penal system. This saves the taxpayer's money. Also, the program
helps to integrate the inmate into the society of "normal" people.
Rehabilitation is a far more noble social goal than punishment and revenge.
The inmate will receive only a very meager salary of around one dollar per
hour. The inmate checks out of jail and reports immediately to work. At
the end of his shift he must return directly to jail. After the inmate
finishes serving his time, he already has a job waiting for him when he gets
out. Also he has already established good relationships with many "normal"
law-abiding folks. Citizens should be enthusiastic about supporting the
work-release program.
I do not think an employer would hire an inmate serving time for crimes
involving betrayal of trust and confidence in a position that would give
him access to customer credit card numbers, bank account numbers, and
other sensitive personal information. These types of criminals could be
hired into other types of positions where they would not find themselves
exposed to the temptations inherent in such a job.
Sam Heywood
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