This is why we need prison reform. There is obviously a problem with the government using inmates to manufacture goods sold in the free market, when their wages are a few dollars a day. I understand that inmates want to work while they are in because they need money to purchase goods through the commissary, this is not my argument, my argument is the control that the government has in putting people in prison, such as excessive sentencing for drug offenses.
Wouldn't it make sense to increase those going to prison, which in turn would increase workers, which in turn would increase profits, which in turn make the prison system more profitable? This means locking people up makes more sense than solving the problem of criminal activity and/or recidivism. There is too much room for error here.
Illinois used to make Pyramid cigarettes in its prison system, which were sold outside of the system. Now most of the Illinois industry makes products that are used inside the prison, sort of like keeping the costs of upkeep in-house. With private prisons being operated by corporations, this is also a problem. I find it very similar to sweatshop work. Inmates should not be making items sold in the free market. License plates, and other state or federal needs are different. They are doing time for violating the laws per those entity(ies). However, allowing them to make goods sold for a fair price in the free market, and only paying them a few dollars a day, while there are people being laid off making the same product, while some company increases its profit margin is wrong.
This problem will grow, along with the prison populations, if this is allowed to continue. Why not lock up all the working class so products can be manufactured at a low cost, sold at regular price in the marketplace to those not incarcerated because they have the social status to not do manual labor. This is the beginning, and the also the government will increase and widen its use of prisons for debtors. It is already beginning with child support payments, and IRS evasion. Debtors prison is illegal, and was made because of this issue. It is a legal form of slavery!
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