Quote:
Originally posted by johnnymysto
...I still postulate that harder labor and less comfortable living conditions would result in fewer return trips, although I have no proof (at this time).
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Although I have no hard facts, figures, studies etc. to back me up, I'll agree with your statement based only on common sense. For example, If I were living in poverty, or close to poverty, and I had to wonder if there was going to be money to buy groceries for dinner tomorrow (let alone pay the cable bill) then the prospect of the state providing me with 3 square meals a day, and clean sheets, doesn't sound so bad. Think about it...a clean place to stay, 3 meals a day, free cable television, free use of excercise equipment, a library system (in case there's nothing good on cable), free college classes, job training, etc. HEY!!! Wait a minute!! That's what the government gave me when I was in the military! Only...they expected me to work for it! O.K., enough of that little temper tantrum...back to the subject. We give prisoners these ammenities, I believe, to keep then placated and docile. In my opinion, they should be put to work (picking up trash if nothing else) to pay for their keep. Otherwise...where is the deterent, if prison could, in many cases, be better than life on the outside?