In my opinion there seems to be several issues with the
prison system. First, I never see prison
helping someone better themselves. Instead of any type of rehabilitation for
the people in there, to me it seems that the prisoners have it somewhat better
than us outside. Without much thought, I would think prisoners just sat in
their cells all day, hung out and ate, little did I know though that they are
sought out for cheap labor. So I guess in a sense they are learning trades, but
I feel that they should be focusing more on completing their education, getting
them off drugs, teaching them interview skills etc.
Another issue I have with the prison system is the fact that
prisoners are used as cheap labors. When you think of people making .28 cents
an hour, you automatically associate that with cheap labor from overseas, but
the fact is that it is right in our backyard. I think what surprised me just as
much as the wages they make, but what they make; beds in the dorm, clothes,
shoes etc. We pay so much money to go to
school, and live in the dorms on campus, expecting we are getting the top of
line stuff, and it is sad to know that someone made all the stuff in there for
probably $5. I think after processing all that now I am wondering more than
ever who is really getting our money, obviously the people of top.
Thirdly, once you’ve been convicted of a felony, you lose
your rights to certain privileges. For
example you will no longer be able to vote in any election, live in subsided
housing or even get food stamps. How is a person who just comes out of prison
and can’t find a job, supposed to live off the $200 they give you right out the
gate? It is disappointing and supports my argument with rehabilitation that the
prison system takes advantage of everything.
Finally, the issue I have with the prison system is that we
pay, with our tax money, for those people to stay in there, for their food, doctors’
visits etc. and yet the little money they do make goes back to the prison as
well. The way I look at it, the prison system is totally profiting double of
what they are putting out. It is a sad reality and one that is often overlooked
the discrepancies of the prison system.
Word Count: 411
Hey Alyce,
ReplyDeleteYou brought up an interesting point about one of the issues with the prison system and how prisons don't do anything to help people better themselves. I never looked at it that way. It makes you ask the question, beside them making loads of cash, what is the benefit of prisons?
I also agree with the point about our tax money, and some of it is going towards prison funding. I think that's unfair because not only are they making cash off prisoners piling up in jail houses and their cheap labor but their also getting our hard earned money too.
Prisons not only negatively affect prisoners but they also have negative effects on normal people in society.
Hi Alyce,
ReplyDeleteYou got credit for this blog-thanks!