RocketManJames
02-16-2005, 07:51 PM
Been thinking about this one for some time... say we have a person who has been convicted of a serious, but non-violent, non-white collar crime. Say that this crime would typically carry a sentence of 5-15 years.
Now, instead of assigning a fixed time, you assign a 'useful' task, and the person is released as soon as that task is completed, does not matter what time it takes (this could result in an unintended life-sentence, but that's just tough). The one I thought of first was having the person transcribe via keyboard data entry, a lot (and, I mean a lot... something that would take a person that is untrained in transcription a very long time to do) of documents that would be nice to have in an electronic format. Now, over time the person is going to get better and faster at this rather boring task.
The prisoner will have great incentive to get this task done. And, in doing so, he has basically trained himself for a job as a transcriptionist.
Other tasks that will force training that will allow entrance into the workplace would work great. Now, most companies don't want to hire convicted felons, etc. So, the prisons that allow this sort of "program" will then open up shop in the various fields... in doing so, they won't be accused of 'undercutting' and unfair business practices. They'll just run a few extra side businesses which will help take burden away from the taxpayers (assume non-private prisons) by helping the financing of the prisons.
Cruel and Unusual? Just plain stupid? Worthwhile thought?
You decide.
-RMJ
Now, instead of assigning a fixed time, you assign a 'useful' task, and the person is released as soon as that task is completed, does not matter what time it takes (this could result in an unintended life-sentence, but that's just tough). The one I thought of first was having the person transcribe via keyboard data entry, a lot (and, I mean a lot... something that would take a person that is untrained in transcription a very long time to do) of documents that would be nice to have in an electronic format. Now, over time the person is going to get better and faster at this rather boring task.
The prisoner will have great incentive to get this task done. And, in doing so, he has basically trained himself for a job as a transcriptionist.
Other tasks that will force training that will allow entrance into the workplace would work great. Now, most companies don't want to hire convicted felons, etc. So, the prisons that allow this sort of "program" will then open up shop in the various fields... in doing so, they won't be accused of 'undercutting' and unfair business practices. They'll just run a few extra side businesses which will help take burden away from the taxpayers (assume non-private prisons) by helping the financing of the prisons.
Cruel and Unusual? Just plain stupid? Worthwhile thought?
You decide.
-RMJ