Boiled Alive: Prison Economy

The role of prison guards was totally redesigned as role models, with activities of daily training and educational classes. Ever since the reform, Norway's recidivism rate has dropped to 25% in 5 years (BBC, 2019). "If we treat prisoners like animals, we'll release animals into your neighborhood"- Halden's governor. 

With welfare entering the cabinet, the "Second Chance Month", a Biden-Harris initiative promotes reentry and employment for ex-prisoners to fortify the US economy. Biden's "Reentry Toolkit" offers federal job opportunities and loan programs, argues three pillars for a reentry transition by; providing education (math and language), job training, and career counseling before and after their release (Whitehouse, 2024).

The Gamble

"Should we forgive all criminals?". Unconditional forgiveness is a noble ideal, but it's not always practical or fair for serial killers or rapists. It's crucial to understand that not all offenders are unredeemable. But that doesn't mean, all of them do not deserve a concentration on rehabilitation and reintegration. 

The study by Toscher and Lubin (2011), which defined prison as a "college of crime," offers one of the best critiques on this matter, suggesting this environment acts as a melting pot for different criminal elements to mingle, allowing prisoners to share tactics and strategies.

To cover the loopholes and gaps, we must question "should we kill baby Hitler?". In order to create a safe and loving home, away from traumas and mental disorders, the government must make investments in social services, healthcare, and education to prevent the making of criminal behavior. 

The government must decode the motives. A second intrusive thought may not bother to steal if financial difficulties are supported through employment opportunities, microloans, and subsidies. To drill their entrepreneurship minds, equipping them with financial literacy skills in money management and investing, ex-prisoners can avoid debt and build a stable future on their own. Additionally, to prevent welfare hypocrisy, free labor exploitation for prisoners must be outlawed.

Governments may provide incentives on firms for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practices on hiring ex-offenders, to improve staff retention, increase diversity and inclusion, and close the skills gap. Such initiatives not only benefit individuals but also strengthen the overall economy--- after all, society broke them, society should fix them (Law, 2024).

The Recipe

We cook them alive, boil them in a pot of our own righteousness. Does this make any difference in morale compared to them? Or are we merely reheating the ancient cycle of pain? Perhaps it's time to learn a new recipe---- boiling it longer wouldn't make it taste better. It should start from something simple--- like forgiving.

References:

• Deansr. (2023, February 9). The economic impact of prison labor for incarcerated individuals and taxpayers. Princeton Legal Journal. https://legaljournal.princeton.edu/the-economic-impact-of-prison-labor-for-incarcerated-individuals-and-taxpayers/
• Giving ex-offenders a second chance - 3701 words | Research paper example. (2020, August 9). IvyPanda. https://ivypanda.com/essays/offenders-second-chance/
• Grant, C. (2019, July 1). Why does ramen rule the prison economy? Subscribe to The Hustle Daily Newsletter - The Hustle. https://thehustle.co/ramen-prison-currency-jails-micro-economy
• How Norway turns criminals into good neighbours. (2019, July 6). BBC News. https://www.bbc.com/news/stories-48885846
• Is prison an effective form of punishment? (2021, May 27). The University of Law | Specialist Provider of Legal Education. https://www.law.ac.uk/resources/blog/is-prison-effective/
• Page restricted. (n.d.). Page restricted | ScienceDirect. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1756061618303677
• Palmer, L. (2024, April 18). Extreme heat in Louisiana's prisons raises risks for incarcerated * Louisiana illuminator. Louisiana Illuminator. https://lailluminator.com/2024/04/18/heat-prison/
• Ramen noodles are now the prison currency of choice. (2016, August 26). NPR. https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2016/08/26/491236253/ramen-noodles-are-now-the-prison-currency-of-choice
• Research shows that long prison sentences don't actually improve.... (2023, February 13). Vera Institute of Justice. https://www.vera.org/news/research-shows-that-long-prison-sentences-dont-actually-improve-safety
• Strain theory | Social control, anomie & deviance. (2016, May 24). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/strain-theory-sociology
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• The White House. (2022, April 26). FACT SHEET: Biden-Harris administration expands second chance opportunities for formerly incarcerated persons. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2022/04/26/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-expands-second-chance-opportunities-for-formerly-incarcerated-persons/#:~:text=America%20must%20offer%20meaningful%20opportunities,become%20productive%2C%20law%2Dabiding%2C
• 'Slavery by any name is wrong': The push to end forced labor in prisons. (2022, September 27). the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/sep/27/slavery-loophole-unpaid-labor-in-prisons
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