Do you think people in prison should be forced to do hard labor work?
98823
It is a shame actually that in many cases prisoners are getting larger accomidations and more ammenities than the average soldier in a military barracks.\n\nI say, once they are convicted, have them doing all kinds of duties. Hard labor, intense cell cleaning each day, basic training type work hours, etc. Chain gangs would be good to have more frequent again.\n\nNow don't get me wrong. Those convicted of minor crimes that will be out in relatively short amounts of time should have jobs to possibly teach them a skil to be employed on the outside. Rehabilitate, but not in some easy or pansy way.
713775
I agree it is a bit frustrating for prisoners to receive a free college education, but we really need these people to come out of prison with a better outlook on life.  If they make their curriculum requirements having a lot of ethics and humanities classes, it would help as well.  I also can say it frustrating for people in society to not be able to afford health care while it also is available free to prisoners.  I do think the government has a lot to do with medical policies to Americans.  Their are some families, that even on low incomes still are told they make too much for assistance.  It is ridiculous.  The big dogs in Washington just need to get with it.
552926
yes they should be able to stay but with restrictions and all. they have to work and earn their stay and all. they shouldn't just be allowed to come and go as they please but they're hard workers and all they want is a new start and it's not much they're asking for.
873963
Lifetime imprisonment and hard labour.
557965
i'm american... equal right's right??? if they get grants and job training to work here, shouldn't I? but i see your point it would save alot of tax money to just release the inmates from prison sine it's just as bush is saying... so what if they broke the law to get here, they should be able to work. the inmates broke the law to get where they are at, should they get special treatment too, oh wait, they get free college thanks to us tax-payers...God, that means they are staying doesn't it... and just like the inmates they get better food then us as well... the last prison i visited was serving lobster, and steak... I never had money to waste on lobster...
1146147
Hopefully, prisons will be used for "violent criminals" only. Other criminals should do community service work..like picking up trash etc.
808927
The resources should be put into the education programs for the inmates and on the obtainment of the employment upon release. Most inmates come back to prison because they do not have the skills, the job, and the place to live after their release/
207618
Yes, we should.  It costs a lot more of our hard earned tax dollars to keep a person alive in prison by feeding and clothing him than by executing him.  Prison life has gotten way too easy.  They get tv, computers, and education and all for a horrible crime.  By executing them, its a quick zap and they are no longer a burden to anyone.
520167
thom has a point but surely you must know thom that we are referring to the pedophiles and child rapists. Personally I don't think these creeps should be fed on taxpayers money. Let them do manual labor and earn their keep instead of giving them a gym to work out in so they can become a threat to the prison guards. Execution gets a nod from me as does setting them loose in the south and telling some good ole red necks where and when they'll be dropped off. Those backwoods boys'll fix 'em good ...lol
583741
Prisons need to get back to being a punishment for the crime committed.  Take away the free cable, free gyms, free Internet access, etc.  Make the prisoners work for their meals and clothing.  For those that will one day get out, make job training mandatory so they cannot use "I have no skills" as an excuse for not getting a job when they get out.\n\nGiving gang members a choice will only be acceptable if they complete their military training, if they get discharged then they are to go to jail.  And only offer the option for those who have NOT harmed or killed an innocent person yet.\n\nAnd for child molesters - use them instead of the innocent animals for product testing, so at least they can serve a purpose to society.
797937
Well, this piece of fascistic legislation would have in it the penalties for refusing to be turned into a slave of the state. I'm sure they would come up with appropriate prison time. Building the required massive prison space needed for the refuseniks could also be a wonderful jobs-creation project for the government.\nBTW, I enjoy the logic of some in the military who answer that they have done their time in Iraq/Afghanistan and therefore the draftees can do theirs. It was their CHOICE to go into the military. I make choices for my own life. Should I be able to force those choices on other people?
380615
You already have alot of good answers only thing that I could add would be to up the cost to the employer if caught make them pay dearly. Even to taking away their freedom if that is what it takes maybe the threat of jail time would solve the problem.
378558
Are you saying implement this program for every prisoner?  If you are, I'm sure there are a lot of prisoners that would love this idea, like the ones serving life.\n\nI guess there would need to be a committee that would decide who qualifies and who doesn't or prisoners would try to make a break for it.  Every state would need a committee, and they would have to pay, so that would mean more money coming out of state taxes, because no one works for free.  So I don't think this would be a cheaper way to punish criminals.
695288
No, they should work whilst in prison and it should be some form of work that actually makes a profit so that they can pay back their debt to society in hard cash.\n\nIf for example they stole a car and the car was recovered they should owe the cost of repairs, compensation to the owner for inconvenience and other ancillery expenses, the cost of bed and board at prison, the cost of magistrates, police and other staff in the justice system.  If they were sentenced to one year and it would take two years to pay their debts then they should serve two years unless they can find a job on the outside that pays more.\n\nThey should be given every help regarding training and education.\n\nIf they kill a man they should owe the man's children what he would have earnt had he survived until the children are earning themselves.\n\nIf someone sets fire to a building causing say £100,000 worth of damage then they should owe and pay that amount plus court/police/prison costs etc.  \n\nThe only excuse for not paying what they owe should be if they die first.\n\nIf the politically correct morons would allow this to happen, then ninety per cent of crime would cease to exist overnight.
413085
Well the farmer should pick his crop after all he planted it.\nWell the trash we have people in prison that could do that, and it would get them out of prison for a while.\nmenial task - we have a lot of unskilled/substance abuse Americans that are rehabbing that need that type of job to get started or felons that can't get a job it could be a fresh start for them\nWhy would we want the Mexicans to work for below minimum wage that is already slave wages\n\nSee if we get creative we can help our fellow Americans, I would hate to know I ate fruit that was picked by a person working for slave wages, why would I want that, why would their government and people not care for them\n\nThe only people that benefit from the Mexican slaves are the business owners, why would they want their workers that are helping them get rich want them to live a sub-standard life
176556
in some cases yes. there are some people who are not able to be released because they are a threat to society and will reoffend. do you think it's right that we have thousands upon thousands of people locked up for the rest of their lives who the tax payers pay astronomical figures to support ? I don't !!! they don't have a great quality of life in prison and the taxpayers money could be much better spent. would you work a job and support an inmate for the rest of his life if you didn't have to. I mean the government doesn't give us a choice we support them with our tax dollars but would you actually just send your money to support these guys if you didn't have to. I bet you have  much more worth while causes to support. I would much rather feed a hungry child than a child murderer.
332560
No, prisons are for those who *willingly* choose to blame someone else for their own problems and who love to avoid personal accountability. \n\nI'm not a wealthy man, but I always try to make good decisions anyway. It's frustrating to watch people who don't deserve their successes have it instead of those of us who have worked hard trying to achieve some sort of security, but I know I'm doomed to jail if I start breaking laws to take shortcuts to success. I realize that success to me isn't the same as it is for someone else, so I need to stay focused on those things that allow me happiness and just continue trying to achieve them. If I fail, then I will stay focused on trying to find some level of happiness and success in what I'm doing at the time. \n\n"Whatever you are, do it well." (I think that's from Abe Lincoln, though I may be wrong, and it's probably phrased somewhat differently.)