Exclusive: Inmates to strike in Alabama, declare prison is “running a slave empire”

Salon ^ | April 18, 2014 | Josh Eidelson

[PapaBear3625]

Another possible compromise might be to only use convict labor for public-works projects, to eliminate the profit motive entirely and really focus on the whole “debt to society” angle.

Public employee unions, and construction unions, would scream. other than that, I think it's a great idea. Teach the prisoners construction skills, get them to work filling in potholes and such.

[kevkrom]

I’m all for banning unionization of public employees by Constitutional amendment, if it takes that much to get it done.

[Impy]

I agree with you.

The whole concept doesn’t make much sense to me. The only people that should be locked up somewhere are those that are too dangerous to be left free, yet don’t deserve death. That should be a small group.