Should Prisons be self sufficent?
By Erilyn
@Erilyn (3020)
United States
May 9, 2007 10:13am CST
On a yearly basis we spend more money on prisons than we do on education. Stanford University did a study that found in Califorina to house one prisoner for life costs about 1.6 million dollars. While privite school tuition on average costs roughly 57,000 dollars for kindergarden through graduation. Public schools are even less (could'nt find exact figures).
When you think about what we are paying for when it comes to prisoners it doesn't make much sense. They are getting things that a lot of tax payers don't have. They get 3 meals a day, clothing, cable TV, air conditioning, laundry service, and do not get a bill for these services. A lot of people would say well they are in prison so they can't go do the things they want to do. If they are in prison they shouldn't be going out doing the things that they want to do.
All of these things are being paid for by us. Would it be too much to ask that they do more for themselves and possibly get experience for when (or if) they rejoin the community? We have road crews doing construction, why can't some trustees work on these road crews, get training, and the state would pay less for the work. This would be income for the prison, less money comming out of taxpayers pockets, and the inmates would get experence.
Why can't they grow their own food or at least a big portion of what they need? They can care for animals etc. Or put in where they can make funiture and sell it to the public at a lower cost?
I personally think that they should have to work to earn their keep just like the rest of us. What do you think?
3 people like this
4 responses
@stacyv81 (5903)
• United States
13 Jun 07
well, I think that we are providing prisons with way more luxuries than they should have, should we as tax payers really have to put out the money for the gym equipment? televisions, etc? I dont think so, now for housing and food, I could see that because, we want these people put away, a way from our society. However, all the extras that they get? No way! I think our money should go to the schools to afford them extra luxuries, after all these are kids who are starting out in life, these prisoners had their chance, so why should we spend more on them? It really doesnt make any sense, I do agree with you...
@stacyv81 (5903)
• United States
13 Jun 07
yes I think food and shelter should be taken care of but all that other stuff, I agree should be provided by someone else, other than the taxpayer. I mean, schools and teachers are struggling, kids are reading 4 or 5 or more year old history books and science books that arent up to date,. for instance, they just said that pluto is no longer considered a planet, I bet you none of the textbooks have been updated. But I bet the prisons have gotten a new piece of equipment or something in there. I mean it is just common sense, MAke sure the kids are well educated and taught the right things so they do not end up in prison, but right now, it seems there is a lot of "fun" stuff going on in prison. I mean I know it is tough to be there, but it was their choice that got them there. These kids have no choice, they have to be in school, and they should be given every opportunity to excel. And the teachers are way underpaid and over worked, I do think it is time to change this, It is very sad to me, that our society does this.
1 person likes this
@Erilyn (3020)
• United States
13 Jun 07
It really is. I agree with everything you have just said. A lot of people would say well they need basic human rights too. I am sorry but basic human rights doesn't include cable TV in my opinion. There are people out there that are struggling to put food on the table. To me it isn't punishment for them to get 3 meals a day, air conditioning, cable tv and the like and not have to worry about paying bills, or how to come up with money to see a DR becasue they are ill. Maybe things should be turned around and they go to work and pay for those that haven't done anything that they shouldn't. we could get 3 meals a day and not have to worry about bills, sounds kinda nice doesn't it?
@Erilyn (3020)
• United States
13 Jun 07
It is really sad that people would rather spend money on prisons then educating kids. Teachers are over worked, underpaid, and classes are over corwded. There has to be a better way to do things. I hate to say it like this but I don't know how else to say it. I read that in Mexican prisons that in order for them to have anything their families have to bring it to them including food. Now I don't think we need to go to that extreme, we should be able to find a goos comprimise in the middle don't you think?
@nancyrowina (3850)
•
14 Jun 07
I think it would be a good idea for people in prison to have to grow their own food, they would probably eat a better diet by doing so as well. The way I understand it prisoners do have to work for the money they are given they already help to maintain the prisons by cleaning etc. There is more that prisoners could be doing to make money towards their own up keep though I'm sure and it should be thought about.
1 person likes this
@Erilyn (3020)
• United States
15 Jun 07
The money they make though goes into their account so they can buy things like snacks and stuff like that from the cantine. Yes they could be growing their own food, and i don't think they need the "luxeries" that they have unless they are paying for it not us.
@dragon88 (89)
• Philippines
9 May 07
ya right...in our country prisoners work for our nation making some stuff like beds,chairs,accessories and many other but still it's not enough to feed lots of criminals.....in your case prisoners must work for people and make their own food to lessen the tax that people give....their not like prisoners they are pets that is always ready to eat the food given by others without any waters that flow on their skins......just some story....nice myloting
1 person likes this
@Erilyn (3020)
• United States
9 May 07
Thank you, I am not quite sure what you mean by them being pets. Could you explain what you mean by that a little more? I can understand that them making furniture and stuff isn't enough to feed them all, but it does take some of the burden off the taxpayers.
@castleghost (1304)
• United States
9 May 07
I think that some of the things that prisoners get should be taken away as well. They can live without cable television. laundry service isn't a necessity. Get them a wash board and a tub. The can scrub their clothing by hand. I agree with you about their growing their own food and make furniture to sell to help offset some costs. We should go back to the days off having prisoners that can be trusted doing road repairs and picking up the trash along side highways. In some ways the prisoners benefit more commiting crimes and being locked up then if the were to obey the law and have to work for what they want in life.
1 person likes this
