Our Cons are underpaid! So screams the headlines in an Ottawa daily, the article goes on to say that a report by Corrections investigator Howard Sapers recommends that inmates be paid at least minimum wage!
The article states that today an inmate can only earn $ 6.90 per day for work performed, regardless of how many hours he/she works.
I have to ask -- what do they need money for? They get free clothes, room & board and all of the necessary items they need for a better life than those on our streets today! I would think that nearly every street person would be happy to have all of the amenities that our inmates have, particularly during our long, cold winters. Sapers report continues by saying that the inmates need more money for cigarettes, booze and chocolates! What are we running here Club Fed or a prison?
I've heard, from a reliable source who works in the prison system, that the inmates get unlimited satellite TV, high speed Internet access and minimum and medium installations have been known to have golf courses, horseback riding and even nice little cottages for connubial visits. I don't even have satellite TV let alone a "private" golf course or stable!!!
Booze?? Since when did our prisons start running cocktail bars for inmates? I can just see it now, your middle-aged murderer sidles up to the "Last Chance Bar" and orders a Glenfiddich on the rocks to ease the stress of a day making license plates - how touching to think that he can find some relief from the stressful life he faces behind bars.
As far as I understand the reasoning behind all of this concern is that the income difference between an inmate and the rest of the working population is too great. Well, I have to ask, why is this person in our prison system anyway - because he/she is being punished for a crime against society that's why. Does the fact that they are incarcerated get pushed aside in favour of creating, behind bars, an environment that most nearly matches the outside world?
Does this happen in the prisons our good neighbours to the south run? I think not. When you go to prison in the USA you are leaving society and are being punished for your transgressions. The environment is tough and spartan and that's how it should be! Don't coddle the inmates punish them and maybe they'll think twice about re-offending when they get out (if they get out - but that's the subject for another post).
I have to ask -- what do they need money for? They get free clothes, room & board and all of the necessary items they need for a better life than those on our streets today! I would think that nearly every street person would be happy to have all of the amenities that our inmates have, particularly during our long, cold winters. Sapers report continues by saying that the inmates need more money for cigarettes, booze and chocolates! What are we running here Club Fed or a prison?
I've heard, from a reliable source who works in the prison system, that the inmates get unlimited satellite TV, high speed Internet access and minimum and medium installations have been known to have golf courses, horseback riding and even nice little cottages for connubial visits. I don't even have satellite TV let alone a "private" golf course or stable!!!
Booze?? Since when did our prisons start running cocktail bars for inmates? I can just see it now, your middle-aged murderer sidles up to the "Last Chance Bar" and orders a Glenfiddich on the rocks to ease the stress of a day making license plates - how touching to think that he can find some relief from the stressful life he faces behind bars.
As far as I understand the reasoning behind all of this concern is that the income difference between an inmate and the rest of the working population is too great. Well, I have to ask, why is this person in our prison system anyway - because he/she is being punished for a crime against society that's why. Does the fact that they are incarcerated get pushed aside in favour of creating, behind bars, an environment that most nearly matches the outside world?
Does this happen in the prisons our good neighbours to the south run? I think not. When you go to prison in the USA you are leaving society and are being punished for your transgressions. The environment is tough and spartan and that's how it should be! Don't coddle the inmates punish them and maybe they'll think twice about re-offending when they get out (if they get out - but that's the subject for another post).
I'm sorry but buddy I can't spare one red cent for you to live a cushier life on the inside!
Cheers from the Valley.
