Should all prisons be self-supporting?

That would be really nice if this could happen, and the people who were actually serving time, if they are able, could go and get jobs, and then a lot of that money be used to help support the Jail, etc. as well. If the jails had to be more self-supporting I think there would be a lot less smuggling, etc. happening and the jails watch what they are spending on things as well. I wonder though if such a thing a prison or jail being self-supporting is even ever possible though?

You have a good point. It is our money which gets them television, exercise equipment etc. It would be fair that the prisoners work money be used for themselves in the prison. Instead of using the taxpayers money.

I have no problem with this idea whatsoever. Judges can sentence prisoners to "community service" so why can't they require them to work while they're in prison. Or at least give them the option, and, like you said, some kind of privilege based system.

I don't think that they can be fully self-sufficient. Though I do think that they need to pay their way- maybe 50% or so. Instead of just purely funded by taxes and what-not. It was already pointed out that there's not much that we can trust with these folks but I'm sure there are those who want to get out and have a better life. So it could also be a reward system and what-not.

I think requiring prisoners to do some sort of work is a good idea, but I'm not certain what kind of jobs some of them could be trusted with. The more violent criminals wouldn't be able to work with heavy or easily breakable machinery or else they might be able to use them as weapons to attempt a break out, or at the very least, seriously harm the guards. Many of the criminals in the prison systems could probably be trusted to do things like customer service as long as the phones they use are set up to not allow outgoing calls, but things would be a little trickier when it comes to the computers. I suppose if they have computers for their job that aren't actually connected to the internet at all, even with firewalls and such, then maybe that would work. I'm not sure. I don't agree that priviledges should be handed out for not refusing to work though. For those prisoners who are elligible for probation, just remind them that part of the consideration for probation is whether or not they cooperate with the way things are run in the prison. Those who aren't elligible at all, threaten them with less time outside their cell or with solitary confinement if they refuse to work. They shouldn't be rewarded for doing things they're supposed to be doing, they should be punished. And yes, prison life should definitely be less comfortable. Especially if my taxes are going to go toward paying for them. I really don't think it's necessary for people who have committed heinous (sp?) crimes to get to watch their favorite tv shows and movies. They're in prison. If you're going to insist on giving them TV time, let them watch the news and that's it. Otherwise, if they have time between any work they're required to do, meals and time out in the yard for exercise and socializing they can read books. I don't mind my taxes being used to help fund prison libraries. Other than that though, I don't see any reason I should have to pay for some of them to come out of prison with a degree when I don't even have one. Education is great, but if they want one then they can figure out how to pay for it when they get out of jail. And if there's no chance of them getting out, there's no reason for them to have a degree.