[JSDude1]

Great Idea; maybe the solution to the (illigals problems) and Farmer Labor- Cheaper for them- Americans are "doing" the job :)! Re-hab for the "inmates" :), double!

[mvpel]

My grandfather and his fellow farmers employed German POWs in Kansas, and my uncle now lives on the former site of the POW camp outside of Concordia. The guard tower is still there.

[Joe Boucher]

Great, get inmates out of confinement helping do jobs that may bring about transformation in their lives.
Not much as satisfying as growing food and seeing it mature.
Rather inmates do this kind of work as opposed to illegals.
How about picking citrus is Florida?

[John Jorsett]

If you propose using prisoners like this here in California, organized labor goes nuts and says it’s a scam to give employers scab workers. Plus the prisoner’s rights crowd starts screaming about “slaves”.

[Red Badger]

It's no fun, bein' and illigal alien........

[AzaleaCity5691]

We actually used to have this in every state in the country, it’s called convict leasing. I think it is a positive sign that it could be returning

[ex-snook]

Jesse Jackson should like releasing prisoners from jail to do some good for the community. ‘Workin’ on the grain gang an idea to be applauded.

[Jersey Republican Biker Chick]

As a former Corrections Officer, the minimum security inmates who had outside jobs were much easier to deal with. Plus they earned more $$ for the work they did than others with in-the-jail jobs. They used that $$ for commissary, court fines they owe, child support, and some saved the rest so they had something to go home with.

The prison I was at was in the country and had its own Dairy farm and piggery. Some inmates worked there.

Others got Highway detail (picking up trash on the roads, mowing and weed whacking the exit ramp areas).

Beach detail (picking up trash on the beaches at the shore)

Some were on work release where they had real jobs in factories or McDonalds. Letting them have some responsibility and giving them something to do is a motivator.

[airborne]

An excellent idea.

[cripplecreek]

I like the idea. When I was a kid we lived on land that was surrounded by Southern Michigan Prison property that was farmed by inmates. The prison was much more self supporting then.

[Yaelle]

I absolutely love this idea.

I think the inmates SHOULD be growing their own food and maybe helping on for-profit farms too. I do not think they should be watching TV and working out with weights. I think those that refuse to do farm or other decent hard work, should remain in solitary cells with a cot and a pot.

[Sybeck1]

Parchman in Mississippi used to sustain itself with its farms.

[Heartland Mom]

Wonderful news! Everyone wins - including the inmates who learn the value of good, honest work.

[bannie]

Teenagers used to do it.