So, Jim, what do you think people should be doing when they're incarcerated? In U.S. correctional facilities, the Great Pacifier seems to be the widescreen television. I've seen inmates who spend every day locked in a cell because they are "hard to manage." The only thing they can do is watch a distant television. I don't think most modern correctional facilities in the Western world are intentionally cruel, but I think there's something cruel about locking somebody up with nothing but a televison for months on end - and usually, they don't get to choose the channel.

Our local jail has a culinary arts program which uses prisoner labor to prepare meals for the jail. Inmates seem to be eager to participate in this program, especially since the cook is such a nice person to work for. When things aren't busy, she teaches the inmates knitting. Inmates are very proud when they've completed knitting a cap they can wear when cooking instead of non-macho hairnets. They get paid about a buck an hour, and they seem to be happy with that because they know they're learning a trade. And a buck an hour is a pretty good wage when you have your food and lodging and medical expenses paid.

I know a Mudcatter who has done food service work with county jail and state prison inmates for years. She will soon be teaching a food safety certification class that will give inmates credentials that will qualify them for a good job once they're released.

Our county probation department has established a re-entry center that works to prepare inmates for employment after they're released from custody. One facet of the program gives them a high school diploma. Another teaches construction skills, including carpentry and welding. I visited that program and talked with the inmates. They were so proud of the things they had made. Others are learning to use heavy equipment like bulldozers, and they love it.

Jim, do you really think it's better for these people to spend their incarceration time watching television? It's true that they're usually paid little more than a dollar an hour - but since their room and board and medical care is provided, a dollar an hour can be spent on luxuries.

I'm president of a social justice advocacy group that has been promoting job training programs in our local jail. I really don't think this is slavery - although if it is done the wrong way, it could be. Sure beats television, though.

-Joe-