America's Choice: Right or Wrong?
Prison is a place where America
believes that by incarcerating these many individuals to pay for the
mistakes they have or haven't made (but are still seen as guilty) will teach
them the lesson they need to learn before being released out into society
again. But by working for large companies, granted no rights or
privileges, and getting paid cents an hour for all the work they do on a daily
basis, what exactly are these prisoners achieving besides feeling used by the
system and having no control over it? Each prisoner has been treated
unfairly for the crimes they have committed and are taken advantage of by the
ones who are in control of the system they are stuck in. Some say it is their
right to serve the time and do all the work for the things these prisoners have
done, but others say it is just another form of slavery being used upon them
today.
Lazy Investors in the Prison
Industry use Prisoners
Many Organizations are stating that the United States has been getting a little too carried away with how they are treating their prisoners. "Human rights organizations, as
well as political and social ones, explain that a prison
population of up to 2 million – mostly Black and Hispanic – are working for
various industries for a pittance (Pelaez)." For the prisoners, it is just another job they have to obey as another part of their sentencing but for others who have invested in the prison industry; having prisoners around to do their work is like heaven. Prisoners are turned into manufacturers, making expensive equipment, working long heavy hours, servicing for many companies, doing jobs that range from minimum wage up to 20 dollars an hour for only cents instead. "All of their workers are full-time, and never arrive late or are absent because
of family problems; moreover, if they don’t like the pay of 25 cents an hour
and refuse to work, they are locked up in isolation cells (Pelaez)."
The Prison Industry IS a Business
Corporate stockholders are the ones who are responsible to try to maintain as many prisoners behind bars as they can; they are the ones who make money off these individuals. If these prisoners didn't work as hard as they have been obligated to and do all the jobs for those who aren't doing what they should be doing in their work field, then prison would have to depend on themselves much more than the prisoners. More money would be put into the system instead of what they would be receiving. "The system feeds itself," says a study by the Progressive Labor Party, which accuses the prison industry of
being “an imitation of Nazi Germany with respect to forced slave labor and
concentration camps (Pelaez).” These prisoners who are citizens of this very country are
being violated by the law, they are to become obligated workers for the system
and aren't allowed a say in anything they do because if they disagree, it can only hurt the prisoner in the long run. Society shows to the people that they
are locking these individuals in cells to avoid them from being a harm to other
citizens, but it must just be a cover up for them to hide that they actually
really need the help these prisoners are forced to give to these companies, so
therefore the more prisoners they get the easier the job is being done for
them.
What Prisoners Contribute to Society
Prisoners have learned to build or make items as well as any other person working in the manufacturing field. "100% of all military items and wardrobe are made by the federal prison industry itself (Winter)." These items include, military helmets, ammunition belts, bullet-proof vests, ID tags, shirts, pants, tents, bags, and canteens. They have also learned to process thousands of pounds of beef, chicken, bread, and eggs; just like how a farmer would prepare his crops for distribution. "California inmates process more than 680,000 pounds of beef, 400,000 pounds of chicken products, 450,000 gallons of milk, 280,000 loaves of bread, and 2.9 million eggs. Texas and California inmates have worked their way through the school system also, they have made dorm furniture, many lockers, diploma covers, binders, logbooks, library book carts, locker room benches, and juice boxes (Winter)." Working for clothing lines like Victoria's Secret and JC Penny was another department they knew best by learning to sew lingerie and leisure wear. Lastly, prisoners have even made their way into technology, learning how to shrink-wrap software and up to 20,000 Microsoft mouses for subcontractor Exmark (Winter). They have worked for the military, food companies, schools, clothing lines, and even in technology; all of which are many important factors in the United States that keep the economy going and our population growing. Prisoners, even though not imagined to be, are much more involved in society as we know it and they are part of a big contribution to it. Even though they are doing good deeds for their communities in which they are working for, they are still being used, punished, and given no credit for anything they have accomplished.
Inmates Reward For Their Hard Work
So what do these inmates get in
return for all the hard work they have done in prison and all the time they
have served for their crime? After being released from prison, they are not
considered "Free" at all, these no longer inmates have to follow a
"Mandatory Supervised Release" or also called probation, which can last for years even span decades. They may have a curfew, people they are
forced not to contact anymore, and no drinking clauses. Inmates can also lose
their right to own a firearm, which is one of the most severe felony conviction
consequences in the U.S. It will become difficult even close to impossible to earn a license to own a firearm as well as any other type of license because of a record. Not being able to vote for their country is also another upsetting lose, being that it is difficult to have these rights restored.
Their voice is not depended on or valued in any type of election. "If the crime
one has committed was deemed detrimental to public safety, welfare, or health,
your landlord can evict you from your rental property (Hall)." So all of that work
someone has put into even finding a home after release can just be thrown away
so quickly by one decision. Finding a decent job will also be very difficult,
not only are they limited to the types of work they can do but the odds of
getting hired with a record are very slim. Lastly, if they would like to better
their education, start fresh, and head back into school, their hopes in finding
help with student loans and educational assistance will not be granted or at
least will be hard to find someone who will trust an ex-felon.
Court Needs Change
"Ninety-seven percent of 125,000
federal inmates have been convicted of non-violent crimes. It is believed that
more than half of the 623,000 inmates in municipal or county jails are innocent
of the crimes they are accused of. Of these, the majority are awaiting trial.
Two-thirds of the one million state prisoners have committed non-violent
offenses. Sixteen percent of the country’s 2 million prisoners suffer from
mental illness (Pelaez)." As the majority of these prisoners are either in jail
for non-violent crimes or for being accused wrongfully; why is it that
their punishments are crucially just too harsh for what they have been accused
of doing? These citizens deserve more respect, attention, and the rights they
are suppose to be given. Even though some should be punished for the crime
they have committed, they also should be taught the ways of changing for the
better and given a chance to show their commitment to this change before their
entire life goes down the drain. The court system should also take a minute to
see how they are badly affecting these inmates and giving off the wrong
impression towards these innocent people, if not then what will this become of
in the many years before us; a disaster or a well organized successful country?
Work Cited
Mother Jones and the Foundation for
National Progress, blog called, "What Do Prisoners Make for
Victoria's Secret?" by Caroline Winters http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2008/07/what-do-prisoners-make-victorias-secret
