You have varying degrees of criminality in a prison. Get the better men to build a new prison within a triple fenced area. That will cut the costs.
I know many of people are hard-assed about prisons, but if these guys are going to be released back into society we can’t keep making them worse.
I have to agree. No matter how harsh we make our laws, the vast majority of crimes do not merit a life sentence which means the vast majority of convicts will eventually be back on the street. We should do what we can to ensure that when they do get out they’ll be able to stay out.
“I know many of people are hard-assed about prisons, but if these guys are going to be released back into society we can’t keep making them worse.”
Sheriff Arpaio has a very low recidivism rate in his county. No one wants to return to his jail.
His prison is a success economically and keeping thugs out of his county.
Nope big labor have written state law so that can't happen.
You DO need to address differing levels of criminality.
The prisons are full - so ignore the non-violent potheads who have no other offense - kick ‘em out. Don’t re-arrest for minor drug offenses. Don’t waste time with ‘em in courts either.
Non-violent, non “sexual-predator” offenders still have some hope. Keep ‘em away from the the scum and give ‘em real work to do. Let ‘em build stuff, farm stuff and otherwise get some work experience. Let ‘em live the prison with the TVs and ACs.
The people I’d put in desert camps behind the wire are violent offenders and sexual predators. No weights. Crummy (high-carb) diet. Just enough water. Porta-potties. Lots of picks and shovels. Towers with machine guns and water cannon. Guards with shotguns and truncheons and permission to use them. The cons get to build and maintain their camp.
Violent three-time losers don’t need prison - they need a bullet in the head before they kill somebody.