Prisoner Strikes

[Benton]

(08-21-2018, 09:22 AM)CKwi88 Wrote: In an ideal world where the justice system treats everyone equitably I would have no problem with labor in prison. However, people are hardly treated equitably so it really does become modern day slavery that disproportionately affects minorities.

Labor while incarcerated shouldn't be obligatory and an inmate should not be punished for choosing not to work. Labor should be optional with an incentive to work.

It may be different in different areas, but I know all our area jails on the one prison that has labor (the max security does not have that option) rely on voluntary labor. There doesn't seem to be any hesitation on the inmates part, as all of the agencies have waiting lists. And it usually is used to improve population behavior. 

Which reminds me, I just fibbed. The max security does have some outside labor, but it's very limited. There is a program where they clean up old cemeteries. It sounds like a bad idea — convicted murderers and other guys doing life trained to use chainsaws, hand saws and sledgehammers — but it's a good program. One guy I interviewed said he was getting out next year and wanted to try and turn what he'd learned into a business with his son.