Why do make prison so easy?

BOB

One hour of work a day doesn't give for much travel time... Do you suggest we take them on field trips? idiot

The better question would be how to prevent people from being so stupid, yourself included.

that_guy

If prisoners were working on roads or bridges people would complain that:
a.) they're taking jobs away from law abiding citizens
b.) they're too close to a school, church, park, house, rest stop, etc...
c.) they shouldn't be allowed to hang out in the sun all day when they should be locked away
d.) and for the truly paranoid, they may sabotage our infrastructure...

So basically, it ain't gonna happen because you will be out-complained.

Justin T

Prison is not easy.

How are prisoners going to work on roads and bridges if you have them locked up for 23 hours a day?

If we had prisoners working, wouldn't that increase the chance of escape?

UppityBroad68

What prison have you been visiting? I'd like to arrange for a cherished friend to be transferred there! The top notch medical/dental care I'm always hearing about would be nice!He had a small cavity in one tooth and the answer was to pull the tooth, he needs to see a doctor to renew a prescription for a chronic condition (no, it's not a drug with any recreational potential, it's Prilosec) but can't see the doc because he is not bleeding, and when he does get that script renewed, he'll be paying for it or rather either his mom or I will be doing so. The situation has gotten so bad with prison health care that a federal judge ordered the whole department into recievership.. not that it has improved anything.
He shares a 6 x 12 cell with one other man, and counts himself lucky that there are not 3 in that cell due to the amazingly overcrowded state of the facility, he gets to leave that cell about 4 hours a day, including shower, chow, dayroom and yard time... and THAT is when the facility is not on lockdown ...on lockdown, it really is in the cell, 24/7, food passed through the door, etc the only thing that keeps going is the mail (and by the way, I send him paper,envelopes and postage, unless it is a letter to one's attorney of record AND there is no money on one's books, the prison does not pay for letters)....the educational programs, IF an inmate qualifies AND if there is a slot available in the class.....and surely you see the need to try to educate these people to improve the chances of their becoming productive citizens upon release?
The showers are hot and reasonably clean, but inmates buy their own soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.
The food is a joke, and is barely legal in quantity and quality... most inmates get VERY creative with the top ramen that is available at the commisary...assuming they have commisary privileges and enough money on their books to buy anything.
All this excercise equipment I'm always hearing about does not exist in the prison I visit- My friend does an aerobic routine in his cell each morning and spends about half his time in the yard running his usual 3 to 5 miles, but there's no equipment available...I'm not complaining about that, but I'd like to know where everybody got the idea that all inmates have gym access.
As to other recreational activities I hear about all the time, Television in the day room where what to watch is decided by vote...any TVs or radios in the cells were not provided by the state, either the inmate or someone like me purchased them and like quarterly packages and phone calls (collect and incredibly costly) they are a privilige that is EARNED... Surely you can see the value of rewarding good behavior?

I could go on and on, but I really want to know what prison all these stereotypes of fun and games are based on, because it sure as hell is not in California!

Robert S

23 hrs... you were in a jail, not prison.

Prison = 1year or more.
Jail < 1 year.

Sure, I don't think its tough enough either. But try being away from family and freinds. Limited movement. Limited communications. Limited view of the outside world. For mor than a year or two. For most of us, its a perspective we can't quite grasp. But actually, for most inmates, its not much different from actual life. Jail/prison is a part of life they accept as the norm.

I see it first hand.

Civilian with an Agenda

Let me guess: you are the victim of crime.

cuz they're people

Golden Girl

Thanks to Liberal Judges.

shlomoshitstain

Because chaingangs and work parties are against the law, as are other forms of slave labor.
Republicans make sure to protect their business buddies by making sure we spend $1 billion to pave a road instead of $200,000.
You'd like prison, you would get to shower with guys named Tyrone and Jamal and Julio and make new friends. You would be traded around for candy bars.

the fact that you called it EASY tells me you have never been there

docie555@yahoo.com

Okay, wasn't going to spend the time to write this but I am. Prison is not easy, you watch to much TV. I spent 20 months in prison in Okla-COMA where prisons are our newest industry. There are at this moment 2.1 million people in prison in this country. And that isn't including, county jails, community level, or half-way house, nor on probation or parole. I pulled weeds for eight hours a day in the middle of no where, in the summer with long pants on and two shirts, socks and shoes and Oklahoma's summers are 100 degrees or over most of the summer. I ate food that was stamped on the outside of the box, "FOR INMATE CONSUMPTION ONLY." Some prisoners do work on the road way picking up trash, but this people are non-violent offenders and are getting to go home soon. They just don't say, the ten of you have to work picking up trash today. I could go on and on. Prisons are not easy and are not a fun place to be. Fed prisons have it easier than state prisons. You need to do more research if you are truly interested in prison life. Geeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....................

Cutedervish

you are making sense - the prisons shouldn't be easier then the regular "free" life, otherwise we should all go there. On the other hand the criminals should either be punished immediately, or being treated for what they deserve - that s the point of the legal system no?

ctcougar360

bcuz they are ruthless killers, depending what jail or prision your talking about, if its a jail and crtiminals are harmless, they do community work like clean up highways and other crap, but the hardcore prison its not gonna happen cuz they will kill if they even have a chance to do so. Watch on National Geographic Channel, show thats called Locked Up, you get answers why those ppl cant do this kinda job.

~Jen~

I completely agree! I believe they should all work.And keep us from using OUR hard earned tax money to keep their sorry butts up! I think its ridiculous that some people think its inhuman to keep them locked up all the time. BOLOGNA!!! Of course they'd be exceptions it could be only non-Violet criminals. But I think if they do the crime,, then do the time!

Your so right, its much too easy on them! And as for the people that have said,, "Easy? well you must not have been in prison before",, eh...nope we have'nt. Most of us are law biding citizens!

David R

We can't, as long as Democrats are allowed to vote.

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