Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Alabama: Inmates can replace Hispanic farmhands
Politico ^ | October 8, 2011 | MACKENZIE WEINGER

Posted on 10/09/2011 1:24:37 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife

Alabama farmers frantically looking for workers to replace those that have fled the state in the wake of its tough new immigration law should just stop by their local prison, according to the head of Alabama’s agriculture department.

John McMillan, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, told the Montgomery Advertiser on Thursday that inmate labor through the state’s work-release program offers a short-term solution to the sudden labor shortage that has hit Alabama since enforcement of its illegal immigration law kicked in.

Some farmers have said the state’s new law has driven away Hispanic migrant farm workers — and without another potential labor source, they say produce may have to be left to rot in the fields.

“We are optimistic that by Monday, we will have some help for farmers,” McMillan said.

(Excerpt) Read more at politico.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Extended News; Government; US: Alabama
KEYWORDS: crops; farmers; food; illegalworkers
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-98 next last
To: glorgau

Won’t work in the field? Can’t draw unemployment. Problem solved.


21 posted on 10/09/2011 3:20:51 AM PDT by csmusaret (The only borders Obama has closed is a bookstore.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

We need to do away with jail sentences tied to the amount of time to be spent in jail - with the sole exception for capital crimes.

Instead, all sentences should be “fines” of various amount based on the offense. Here’s an example: suppose you’re convicted of armed robbery. You should be fined $150,000. The money to pay for your fine would be collected from wages you would earn pruducing some needed product or service that is sold in the market. In this case, earned from harvesting crops in Alabama. In other words, you WORK YOUR WAY OUT OF JAIL! YOU DON’T JUST SPEND TIME. The money apid for products and services people wnat to purchas eis used to house and feed the criminal. Now that’s rehabilitation and punishment at the same time.


22 posted on 10/09/2011 3:22:23 AM PDT by veritas2002
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: gogogodzilla

There is more than ample prison labor, but what’s more I see literally thousands of able bodied people standing on the stoop or the corner everyday who could do the work and pay into their own subsistence instead of taxpayers doing it.

But they “ain’t fittin’ to do no farm work.”

The ACLU will move heaven and earth to make sure that the farm work will NOT be done by prisoners because it will demean them and bring back the ol’South mentality with all the plantations and slavery happy horshechit arguments.


23 posted on 10/09/2011 3:26:31 AM PDT by Molon Labbie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

“Things just aren’t black and white as people who do not govern would like them to be or believe them to be.”

So therefor Perry’s stance of encouraging illegals and helping them get educated and find work is a good thing? is that the message?


24 posted on 10/09/2011 3:26:48 AM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: fieldmarshaldj; Cincinatus' Wife
La Raza Rick supporters like you don’t want illegals to go home. You want them to just keep on coming and overrunning our country. Why ?

Slave labor

25 posted on 10/09/2011 3:28:04 AM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: glorgau

Don’t confuse work-release program with slave labor.Nobody is forced to work,they can lay in their cell all day if they want.


26 posted on 10/09/2011 3:29:40 AM PDT by Vaduz
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: driftdiver

It’s truly amazing how much La Raza Rick resembles Huckster of the last Presidential election cycle. Huckster berated Arkansans as “un-Christian” for opposing his flooding the state with illegals. Of course, it was because Tyson wanted their plants jam-packed with that illegal slave labor. One wonders what industry or industries in Texas are demanding the Guv keep that same spigot open.


27 posted on 10/09/2011 3:39:11 AM PDT by fieldmarshaldj (Rick Perry has more red flags than a May Day Parade)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 25 | View Replies]

To: fieldmarshaldj

I hadn’t thought of that but you’re right. I have no sympathy for someone who’s business is predicated on the use of illegal labor.


28 posted on 10/09/2011 3:42:09 AM PDT by driftdiver (I could eat it raw, but why do that when I have a fire.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 27 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

a couple yrs ago while driving 45 thru Huntsville,Tx, I pointed out to my son what was happening in plain sight. It really looked like slavery 200 yrs ago. There were a few overseerers (guards) on horseback with guns and numerous prisoners outside the fence but still on state land, I think they were either picking their own crops or weeding the garden. BUT, after that one prisoner escaped & killed that female guard in the process I haven’t seen them outside the walls since.


29 posted on 10/09/2011 3:48:09 AM PDT by Undecided 2012
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 19 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife
without another potential labor source

There are no unemployed American citizens in Alabama? How is that possible?

30 posted on 10/09/2011 4:04:41 AM PDT by Tax-chick (Skip the election and let Thomas Sowell choose the next President.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: eyedigress

I don’t see a problem with inmate labor. I would prefer it not be for private industry but it does help pay for prisons. When I was a kid we lived in a house surrounded by Southern Michigan Prison owned farmland. Back in those days, the prison fed itself and even sold some of what they grew.


31 posted on 10/09/2011 4:11:21 AM PDT by cripplecreek (ALCS/NLCS playoff thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2789907/posts)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: Cincinatus' Wife

I have no problem using prison labor providing the prisoners volunteer for the jobs and they are paid at the same rate as were the illegals.


32 posted on 10/09/2011 4:15:02 AM PDT by WellyP (REAL)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek

Actually here in Nashville they clean all of the court houses and various metro buildings. It’s not a problem.


33 posted on 10/09/2011 4:23:56 AM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: WellyP

Sheriff Joe gives 2 for 1 for everyday you clean the streets. (Yes, he can do that)


34 posted on 10/09/2011 4:26:05 AM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 32 | View Replies]

To: Molon Labbie

“The ACLU will move heaven and earth to make sure that the farm work will NOT be done by prisoners because it will demean them and bring back the ol’South mentality with all the plantations and slavery happy horshechit arguments”

Especially since a lot of prison inmates are after all, black.


35 posted on 10/09/2011 4:30:10 AM PDT by Niuhuru (The Internet is the digital AIDS; adapting and successfully destroying the MSM host.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: cripplecreek

If more prisons had that system, you would see a lot less criminals. I remember reading that prisons used ot have convicts do sewing as well, making them work and putting htem to good use. They shouldn’t sit idle and allowed ot be converted to Islam or any other loony religions that are gaining a foothold with these people.


36 posted on 10/09/2011 4:33:51 AM PDT by Niuhuru (The Internet is the digital AIDS; adapting and successfully destroying the MSM host.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: eyedigress

“... gives 2 for 1 for everyday you clean the streets”.

I’m not sure I know what that means? Does he reduce you time by two days for every one day of work?


37 posted on 10/09/2011 4:42:48 AM PDT by momtothree
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 34 | View Replies]

To: momtothree

Yep!


38 posted on 10/09/2011 4:43:32 AM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: momtothree

Everyday you work is a day reduced, look at it that way.


39 posted on 10/09/2011 4:45:09 AM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]

To: momtothree

If you get a misdemeanor 90 day sentence. Sheriff Joe will allow you to clean the streets for 45 days and let you out.


40 posted on 10/09/2011 4:47:42 AM PDT by eyedigress ((Old storm chaser from the west)?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 37 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-8081-98 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson