here's the problem with this program (i'm ingoring the newt gingrich tapes which i don't find appropriate): i think most everyone would have no arguments if this were a high security prison serving only inmates who have committed violent crimes. However, as in most prisons a large percentage of inmates are being incarcerated for nonviolent crimes ("In terms of federal prison, 57 percent of those incarcerated are for drug offenses. Currently, considering local jails as well, almost a million of those incarcerated are in prison for non-violent crime."
http://www.campusprogram.com/referen...opulation.html). and I'm not comfortable with abusing some 19 year old kid who got caught with a joint.
additionally, I find the argument that prisons are so cushy that people WANT to be in them a bit dubious -- cable TV doesn't' make up for having all of your civil liberties taken away and having to endure the dubious inmate social structure (ie gangs, sexual favors, etc). (note that i am not advocating a more luxuriant prison system, just noting that it hardly seems like a picnic either way).