Interesting post.
I am in favor of prisoners working, however, they should be paid a minimum wage - or more if they have special skills. Also, they must compete in the market like everyone else.
However, government contracts are often bonanzas for private firms. When I arrived in Toronto, I worked for a modestly sized envelope company that supplied the Queen's printer. It was definitely a sweetheart deal.
I've long been an advocate of "retributive justice" where the prisoner works and gets properly paid.
Then he must pay for his board and in addition must compensate the victims for the harm he has done. If he killed a father, for example, he might have to compensate the wife for the cost of college for the kids, or whatever.
If he simply refuses to work, perhaps he should be allowed to die. (That would probably happen to us outside of prison.) There is a lot of useless sympathy for prisoners, but not much for the victims - outside their immediate family.
In the long run, giving an inmate an opportunity to earn his living (not 25 cents an hour) may well set him up for a better post-imprisonment life.
Harry
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Harry Pollard
Henry George School of LA
Box 655
Tujunga CA 91042
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Tel: (818) 352-4141
Fax: (818) 353-2242
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