'Do Prison Inmates Have To Pay For Rent Or Mortgage?': Tom Cotton Rapid-Fire Questions Witnesses

At today's Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) questioned Jennifer Turner, Principal Human Rights Researcher at the American Civil Liberties Union, and Charles Lehman, fellow at the Manhattan Institute, about prison labor.
Fuel your success with Forbes. Gain unlimited access to premium journalism, including breaking news, groundbreaking in-depth reported stories, daily digests and more. Plus, members get a front-row seat at members-only events with leading thinkers and doers, access to premium video that can help you get ahead, an ad-light experience, early access to select products including NFT drops and more:
account.forbes.com/membership...
Stay Connected
Forbes on Facebook: forbes
Forbes Video on Twitter: / forbes
Forbes Video on Instagram: / forbes
More From Forbes: forbes.com

[@AFloridaSon]

Forced labor? They weren't forced to be criminals, they chose that.

[@ImprovmanZero]

The current VP fought against release of eligible prisoners to make them fight wildfires

[@ImprovmanZero]

To clarify I am taking about her attempts to stop people who served their sentences from being let go.

[@jasonburnett2219]

You apparently have no idea and are saying stupid shit because it hasn't happened to anyone you know yet and your right criminals chose it but the vast majority are not criminals.

[@kathytaylor4128]

STATE OF TEXAS NEEDS TO LET PRISIONS JOB SERVICES GO TOWARDS TIME SERVED. PRISON IN LIVINGSTON TEXAS NEEDS THEY'RE UTMB DOCTORS TO GIVE MORE TIME TO THEIR CANCER PATIENTS. THEY AREN'T ISSUING OUT CORRECT MEDS.

[@SpencerGibson-vc6fd]

Unless you were let into a building by police and then arrested for it..

[@jenniferzennifer6949]

These democrats are just fn nuts!

[@donald2665]

Do a Deep Dive into the Organization initiated by a "Former Associate" of George Soros a year and a half prior to the 2020 Presidential Election, and consisting of Three Trump Hating Groups (The Money Group of NYC Billionaires, and the Planning and Action Groups) all under the Umbrella of "The Transition Integrity Project". Besides a Hand full of token RINO's, the vast majority of the Officials, Governors, Retired Military General Officers etc., Silicon Valley CEO's and Technicians, Political Attorneys, and Officials had direct hotlines to the DOJ and the major Agencies of the Administrative State, and Pentagon. The two goals of the TIP: (1) Stop the Re-Election of President Trump - and (2) Detail Plan the response to all Evets and Possible Events and Actions, Legal, Political, Practical, Extra-Judicial, Military, TAKING PLACE IN WASHINGTON DC DURING THE "TRAQNSITION PERIOD" from Election to Inauguration and involving President Trump. This included the Mall Rally and the events of Jan 6, 2021, as the TIP had two months lead time to formulate a response and plan involving all elements under its control and or influence in Government. There are about Four Pages on Google of the various articles regarding the TIP and its nefarious activities COL (Ret) Lawrence Wilkerson, a main coordinator among the three Groups of the TIP figures in many articles and videos regarding the work of the TIP. Six months or so prior to the election he stated (to paraphrase): 'On Election Night the Main Stream Media MUST PERFORM A COUP'! (NO ONE) will investigate or expose FULLY the work of the TIP or their involvement in planning and coordination of the responses, infiltrations, influencing, and so forth of the events of Jan 6, 2021 at the Capital Building after the Trump Mall Rally.

[@acdc123456781]

Inmates should have to work but they should be paid at least minimum wage many jobs they do is valued over minimum which could go to the state 7.25 an hr after they pay taxes is 6$hr or so 35% or 2$ an hour should go to restitution and post release fees so they have that paid in full and then the rest could be saved or spent for phone calls and necessities inside which ultimately I think will save the tax payer in the long run by making them earn and contribute. They should absolutely work but at least make minimum wage with any extra going to state and a third of pay after taxes going to restitution which is very sensible and i don't see why that couldn't be bipartisan saying they should get crazy wages and 401k/ is crazy just like saying they should be enslaved to work for free as also crazy and wrong

[@khanservativ2401]

utterly certifiable! its baffling they could be in charge of anything!

[@jeffreywillis4258]

@@acdc123456781 They are advocating for inmate unions!! WTH is the union for? To negotiate higher wages and benefits. It may start out at minimum wage but liberal policies are always just a foot in the door for more egregious policy. Give 'em an inch they WILL take the ruler. Soon it will be more lucrative to be a criminal than to be an honest citizen. Prisons don't produce anything to sell on the open market so 100% of your little formula comes from the taxpayer. The honest tax paying citizen is already being butchered by government now you want criminals to get on the action. Inmates can volunteer to work as part of their rehabilitation and/or community service or stay in their cell. Easy peasy.

[@0397rb]

They all are open your eye

[@SonRagnar]

So, the people, who FREELY "CHOSE" to commit crime ...... are upset, about Consequences😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@user-uk8vg3yw8s]

Right. Crazy isn't it?

[@brendajohnsonlawrence2053]

If Inmates receive pay for their work, charge them for their cell, food, clothes, internet, phone calls, etc

[@agb1953]

Not a single one could earn enough working in a prison to pay for what it costs to incarcerate them, so they would leave prison owning the state a fortune.

[@SpencerGibson-vc6fd]

Inmates do have to pay by the minute to email family, they don't get "Internet" beyond emails and buying music. They have to buy extra hygiene and food from the commissary from the $30 per month (full-time) that they earn.. not much of an incentive to work either. so yeah, I think they could make a little more than they currently make. In fact, I bet families would stay together longer if the fathers could help provide for their families even while incarcerated, instead of the women and children having to move on to another provider or the mother having to work more. It feeds into those fatherless children ending up in the justice system down the road. Divorce is also incentivised because they tell the mother she can get child support retroactively after the man gets out and he will have to slave away with garnished wages right when he is out. He will not likely be able to get on his feet oweing tens of thousands. And it may just be because they were let into a building by police and then subsequently arrested (Jan 6). Or maybe they thought they had second amendment rights. Or maybe they just voted for he wrong guy. Or maybe they went to church or the park during covid.

[@joemetro352]

And MEDICAL CARE!

[@deanoh6391]

​@@joemetro352yes, they will give you a ride to a hospital because their incompetent Dr. Mengele cant diagnose what the hospital determined that 2 screws holding a plate in a broken fibia needed to be rectified before causing further damage(like shredding tissue and causing infection, which did occur) then be sent back to prison with the results to be told "you really don't think we are going to pay to repair that, do you?" Quality healthcare at its finest. Maybe you should refrain from commenting until you are aware of the topic you speak of.

[@DP-zm2bd]

Exactly,, and the pool table and air hockey table should be coin operated then

[@pommiebears]

They’re incarcerated. They need to work. They owe a debt.

[@dale333]

No, they don't owe a labor debt. You do understand that if you follow that mentality we go down the road of indentured servitude right? Imagine your son being falsely arrested and convicted to fill a labor shortage at the prison.

[@randallsimmons391]

@@dale333 They owe a debt to the society that they wronged. Repaying that social debt involves incarceration and society can stipulate other means of repayment, such as labor. The strawman argument you present involves a conspiracy of the entire office of the District Attorney and local judges/attorneys, which is an entirely separate debate.

[@dale333]

@@randallsimmons391 They don't 'owe a debt' they are being incarcerated as a way to deter future crime (if that works or not is a separate conversation). The idea of debt owed is from a time when people could be imprisoned for literally not paying a loan. Would you like to go back to that? If you're late on a payment we just throw you in prison until the rest of the debt is paid?

[@jessehansen10]

@@dale333people don’t get it man.

[@kare7840]

They should work to cover the cost of their own care. Everyone works to support their own life. Why should others have to cover that cost?

[@rick8295]

Ok. Who is the bobble head behind her?

[@FlipDahlenburg]

THAT is a Weeble! Weebles wobble, but they don't fall down!

[@ohmightywez]

I didn't know whether to like or dislike your comment because once you pointed him out I couldn't stop being bothered and distracted by him.

[@TheJeffbarrett]

Cartman's all grown up

[@jasonkhanlar9520]

0:34 bobble bobble bobble bobble bobble bobble bobble bobble smile 0:42 bobble bobble bobble bobble bobble bobble bobble bobble bobble 0:51 bobble bobble bobble bobble

[@Venim85]

@@jasonkhanlar9520 He was daydreaming about cheeseburgers.

[@maxfulmer3193]

My taxes dollars pay for the facility they are kept in. Food, clothing, healthcare, housing, guards to monitor them, and lawyers fees. Insane.

[@jokertony420]

USA #1 Prisons for Profit

[@zkeletonz001]

True. And some of the labor unions for the prison workers are shockingly powerful. The union for the parole officers and prison guards in California is one of the richest unions in the entire country.

[@sherwinstaudt1881]

Yeah and just think most of them got stimulus checks, I didn't.

[@unclegoon347]

Just wait till they’re allowed to vote - a new group for politicians to pander to and throw taxpayer money at to buy votes. Minimum wage will be the tip of the iceberg. That’ll be fun.

[@johnpetrakis379]

Please, don't any of you forget that prisons ARE a business, and in many cases, they are privately run for profit they prop up prison towns and are the main employers Many states have compacts with other states and farm out inmates to these private prisons where the inmates did not commit their offenses. Inmates are the fodder and grist for the mill and recidivism is great for biz.!!

[@user-zg1wz8fh8f]

It's shameful when people have more sympathy for criminals than for the taxpayers who have to support them.

[@sean9448]

Not to mention the criminals' victims.

[@caronlittle3539]

Bleeding heart Social workers

[@robertdimaggio9086]

First of all most "tax payers" dont actually pay taxes, they get refunds. Higher earners like myself are the ones who actually pay taxes, so stfu.

[@00700556]

Your tax dollars aren’t going to prisons. Shocking to know that I know.

[@iamtheCircus]

@@robertdimaggio9086 income tax is not the only tax. so stfu.

[@juanaboynkin1196]

Some people are so open minded that their brains fall out.

[@patrickbateman1660]

She is right. Companies use prison labour to undercut other workers pay.

[@dianasims6819]

Very well said thank you

[@rhondawhite5202]

That's funny. However, I would not offend the scientific-minded people, who keep an open mind to gain factual, logical information. But yes, there are people, who let their brain fall out!

[@johncassani6780]

G K Chesterton is credited as saying something to the effect of “An open mind only becomes useful when it clamps down on something.”

[@chillbrah1010]

​@@patrickbateman1660 America was built off of free labor for fiat money.

[@lovemymuic]

Ohy freaking word, is Booker that insane. So not only would tax payers fund criminals in prison, the criminals would be able to be paid. That's is beyond crazy. If they did that the wages should go to the victims of their crimes

[@jrwilliams4029]

Stay out of prison then. Most inmates want to get on the work details, especially the ones outside which encourages good behavior to retain those jobs.

[@AnthonySopran0]

They want to risk their lives putting out fires? What about older inmates? I saw elderly inmates die of basic infections while they were in?

[@idahoman325]

Only with their lives ... can we now talk about the truly world class robbers who happen to hold office & their long overdo prison sentences ?

[@marilynmiller9730]

Well stated 👏 I totally agree with you. The Best Is Yet To Come!

[@GizmoRob176]

Ok, if inmates are going to be paid like that then charge them rent, food, and healthcare among other services.

[@eichenlaub86]

The goal is to have these inmates get out and not come back. Inmates shouldn't profit more in prison then they would on the streets.... Insane

[@SPHYNX99752]

I have known people who commit petty theft in order to have 3 hots and a cot during the winter. Some people have nothing. 😢

[@user-sq4gu9qw7t]

Yeah cause on the streets the bastards won’t even hold a damn job

[@familhagaudir8561]

I know one ''excentric'' violence-prone guy ( a less charming version of the village's fool ) who deliberately gets himself in jail for the cold season. Must have gotten more than he asked for last Autumn, because he hasen't come back yet. And nobody's sad about it.

[@NopeIDontthinkso]

Isn’t force labor what Kamala Harris did in California…

[@patrickbateman1660]

Yes! And that was bad right?

[@seanhoude]

​@@patrickbateman1660Only because she was keeping people incarcerated by withholding evidence exonerating them.

[@patrickbateman1660]

@@seanhoude so making innocent people do forced labour is bad right? In america people can be in jail for months without being found guilty

[@ryanm4013]

@@patrickbateman1660Forced labor isn’t being done at the jail level, it’s at the prison level

[@susanweber6714]

Yuppers

[@kurtcyr7478]

Don't go to prison and you won't be treated like that

[@mkb9885]

If the blue line gang wants you they will make up a charge and then you are fucked! Back the blue until they come for you!

[@sunshinehippie70]

The woke just needs to wake up!

[@ginman293]

The woke can move to a country with all the restrictions they seem to want

[@jerrymoore8355]

There is no woke! Only ignorant and insane!

[@jerrymoore8355]

@MajorityOneTV-kb1xz incarceration is not forced labor. If you want folks to live free, invite some of those prisoners to come stay with you. But remember that they have done serious crimes and that's why they are there.

[@jerrymoore8355]

@MajorityOneTV-kb1xz Most of those incarcerated want something to do. They get paid for it just by having chores. Early day families all had something to do, or they didn't have anything Would you consider that forced labor?

[@missmoneypenny3303]

Or have a really long nap...

[@Delatta1961]

Now I see why Sen Kamala Harris found prison labor lucrative

[@nathanielmadden4235]

She also paid bail so others could be released. Maybe she can offer an illegal immigrant a place to live in her home like the Gov. of Massachusetts suggested to his citizens. ❤️🇺🇸🙏❤️

[@tonifoley2218]

There is no such thing as a free ride. Some one has to pay for the cost of prison.

[@jameshartman6031]

"Chuckle's" behind the lady speaking...😂

[@Chloechanel1963]

He is quite annoying🤪

[@ekkythump3706]

He's like one of those nodding dogs you can put in your car's rear window.

[@colinmadigan7251]

The look on that guys face at the end when asked what financial burdon prison inmates have he realised the absurdity of the push to give them minimum wage pay.

[@dakotafred1829]

Senator Booker introduced this bill. Anyone care to guess why?

[@Bearfacts01]

Work in prison is voluntary NOT FORCED.

[@timelkin9550]

Correct, at least in Calif that is the case.

[@patrickturner2417]

​@@danny_invadioit isn't. Name one prison that forces inmates to work.

[@reformedconvict]

In most prisons you have to earn it through good behavior a work camp you are forced to work but in all prisons everyone wants a job because its less time locked in your cell

[@zkeletonz001]

If you don't work--or go to school in some cases--they can, and will, give you fewer privileges. At least that's how it works in California. So it's more coerced labor than forced labor. One of the really odd things though is how the wages can vary widely between prisons within the same state for the same types of jobs; working in the kitchen, etc.

[@patriot77185]

Should be compulsory for their up keep. We have to work to eat and have a place to live in.

[@robertyoungs3181]

You forgot Gas and electric Cable Health insurance Gym membership

[@lds251]

Schools, libraries, computers

[@kathybarnett7941]

College

[@karenvolk]

Child support

[@dustyvanbrocklin4731]

Don’t do the crime if you can’t do the time as the old adage says.

[@kathybarnett7941]

One of the Genius Senators need to ask these lunatics how would they feel if one of their family members died at the hands of a murderer and if said murderer should be paid for being in jail?

[@tonycamaj7243]

They have literally lost their minds. What could possibly be next?

[@dianasims6819]

Please don't ask that question now I don't think we want the answer

[@cantstop21]

It is not forced labor. Inmates choose to work voluntarily and are not mandated to participate. These jobs save them from getting beat up, assaulted, stabbed, or killed at "recreational/yard" time. Those prison jobs are usually highly sought after so these judges including Spartacus are absolutely wrong. Like usual when it comes to these types of issues.

[@saifonlawrence2044]

Don't pay them anything.

[@curteknoian1032]

If they don't like it then don't commit crimes. Duh

[@kevingaddis7276]

Simple fix. If you don't work you don't eat.

[@gillessimonnet1321]

Be careful, you're talking about death sentence. Not everyone in jail is sentence to death and starving is torture. Isn't it a little too harsh ? No more human rights in Amerikkka ? Are you OK ?

[@kevingaddis7276]

@@gillessimonnet1321 no more tax payer free rides for anyone including the people in jail and prison, you don't work you don't eat.

[@user-sq4gu9qw7t]

U damn right. That’s how it works outside the prison system.

[@Darkpara1]

Bare minimum rice and beans

[@karenvolk]

@@kevingaddis7276 Yes you are getting fed, are your kids being fed on the outside?

[@SuperEgo19]

Hard labor should be mandatory for any felony conviction.

[@dannythunder3180]

What if the inmate is physically incapable of work?

[@ADeFilho]

@@dannythunder3180 Well they committed a freakin crime so they can't be too incapable.

[@karenvolk]

@@dannythunder3180 Well then find something they can do, maybe knit blankets for the homeless. Something.

[@patriot77185]

Criminals are not in jail for a holiday !!!! They should be doing something constructive to occupy their minds keeping busy maybe they won't reoffend !!!!! After all it costs the tax payer millions for their up keep !!!

[@DottieDuey]

If states are going to pay for prison labor minimum wage just hire non prisoners and don’t have the prisoners work. Problem resolved for the ACLU. She even said the prisoners should be able to unionize. Just crazy.

[@dianasims6819]

But I think they need to work. They're getting nothing but stronger using the gym equipment. Then they come out and take revenge on the people that put them there because of their own actions.

[@nickforbus378]

What are these people smoking?

[@ericp.semisch1058]

they r criminals, they do NOT deserve equal pay as those that are NOT criminals. this is just insane.

[@stansmith4871]

This Is insane what are we doing here people it's like the godamn twlightzone

[@samtraygis1337]

Your not alone man I say it every single day . I say the same thing . What world are we living in it's like the Twilight zone

[@Wizardof]

Send all these people to jail as inmates so they can answer their own question lmbo!

[@mofomoco]

If the prisoners work and make minimum wage then 90% of that money should be used to pay reparations to their victims

[@mkb9885]

A lot of prisoners do not have victims! Arrested for some corrupt, constitution violating law!

[@noblelies]

Not all prisoners have victims. (Drug) Possession is nine tenths of the law.

[@karenvolk]

@@noblelies Then they can pay child support for theirs or others children

[@Banguelas]

*Pay minimum wages or higher for incarcerated people* . Sounds like a Babylon Bee parody.

[@prdragonqueen7854]

Prisoners shld pay for their own imprisonment with work NOT the US citizens.

[@quitcallinmebill1699]

The way they nervously try to explain their BS

[@4Real1]

not one person in the house has been to jail to discuss this

[@terry_willis]

Forget about room and board. IMO prisoners should pay to reimburse the taxpayer for the cost of police/judicial system/public defender lawyer, language translator, prison system, and, room and board.

[@dannythunder3180]

Where are they going to get the money

[@RM-nd7gn]

I worked at a prison. As far as working inmates sign up for a job and are selected by staff. Some want to work to earn money. It is a privilege to be chosen even when at that time it was 15 cents an hour for work. So it wasn't much money amd they could buy something from the canteen

[@timelkin9550]

Same. Skilled labor (carpenters/plumbers for example) got a bit more. If they had discipline issues they were fired, got no money, and had to go to class for 'good time credit'.

[@reformedconvict]

Funny how they cant seem to realize that it helps inmates be less trouble

[@lostin.psychosis7080]

@@reformedconvict they dont want less trouble

[@JohnInTheShelter]

She sounds like someone who has never left the campus.

[@paullatina7413]

When you’re convicted of crimes you have no rights period. Why don’t we spend this much time talking about the rights of their victims. This country sucks.

[@emmalab02]

Fundamentally untrue. Prisoners do have certain rights in America because they are still American citizens irrespective of the crimes they committed. The proof that prisoners have rights is that the specter of going to prison is no longer a deterrent to criminals for committing crimes of choice.

[@paullatina7413]

@@emmalab02 I worded my statement incorrectly. They should have no rights. Why should they be afforded the rights that I have given I am a law abiding citizen who has committed no crimes. That was the point I was trying to make.

[@emmalab02]

@@paullatina7413 that’s a fair question to ask and one I don’t think the country has figured out yet. The punishment criminals face doesn’t seem to deter them any longer, so we need to have a national conversation about the end goal of prison. Is it a punishment or a deterrent?

[@johnthomas4790]

@@paullatina7413bro you’re acting like every person prison is a pedophile or murderer. In Mississippi, a woman was convicted to life in prison for stealing $12 from a gas station. That’s FUCKED! My dad knows someone who spent 13 years in prison for a single joint. Prisoners have rights to protect all of us from the criminals in government.

[@AstaraBrightwing]

@@paullatina7413 Because the entire point of a right is that it can't be taken away from you. If the government can take away your rights by declaring you a criminal, then you don't have rights, and the government can do whatever it wants to you. If anything, the rights of suspects and convicts are *more important* than the rights of people untouched by the justice system, because suspects and convicts are the most likely to be treated unfairly and abused by the system. In the past, people in prisons have been sterilized against their will, injected with STDs, and been subject to countless other horrific actions precisely because they were seen as having no rights. The entire reason we have provisions like the Fifth and Eighth Amendments is to ensure that citizens are not abused by the justice system. It's easy enough to be hateful and dismissive toward suspects and convicts, until you realize you're only a few steps away from becoming one yourself, whether through your own fault, through false accusations, or through the actions of government overreach. Any reasonable person knows that a government which takes away the rights of any part of the population, even criminals, will commit far more and far greater atrocities than random crackheads on the street.

[@Sarge395]

I work in prison industries. I can say that the inmates do not feel like they are being exploited. They are NOT forced to work. Depending on the state or Fed gov they compete for the jobs as usually they pay more and they provide a resume builder and skill.

[@dragonf1092]

Prison industry along with law enforcement and the justice department are the biggest frauds in America. They should all be disbanded, abolished and defunded. We have the second amendment that's what it exists for.

[@johnellis5820]

Florida is 50 a day and it continues for duration of the sentence irregardless of early releases

[@iamhudsdent2759]

You'd think by now everybody knew "irregardless" is not a word.

[@ChineseBandits]

@@iamhudsdent2759 Wrong. "Is irregardless a word? Yes. It may not be a word that you like, or a word that you would use in a term paper, but irregardless certainly is a word. It has been in use for well over 200 years, employed by a large number of people across a wide geographic range and with a consistent meaning."

[@brendajohnsonlawrence2053]

@@iamhudsdent2759 Yes, "irregardless" is recognized by many dictionaries as a real word. It was added to Merriam-Webster's unabridged edition in 1934 and has been used for centuries.

[@christiandulaney1638]

@@ChineseBandits EVERY DICTIONARY references it as an "improper word". Meaning it shouldnt be used in professional or academic communications. Yes, its a word, just like "crunk". Uneducated people use it. Its purely coincidence that its some anachronistic term that actually exists.

[@christiandulaney1638]

@@brendajohnsonlawrence2053 Research a little bit harder. Its designated as an "improper word". Like "homie". Its a low rent vestige of the uneducated.

[@snowflakehunter]

Most crimes are committed due to financial peril. Paying them $1 per hour would help to teach them financial responsibility. I am a Republican and I believe that this would help.

[@LucielStarz123]

They shouldn’t get any money until they pay off the debt that they caused.

[@f9qo]

In my town there is an annual exhibition and sale of furniture and other craft items made by incarcerated men and women. I am a professional furniture maker myself, so I can speak to that aspect directly to a degree. Looking at the quality of the work, I can't help but feel that the people producing those goods, enjoy their work with the inherent challenge. You can't really be successful forcing a person to exhibit good craftsmanship.

[@joshuapaul349]

How terrible the prison is offseting their cost to ease the burden on the tax payer.

[@dragonf1092]

They are not offsetting or easing anything prisons and the government are robbing the taxpayer blind while making free extra money on the side for themselves and rich corporate America.

[@patrickbateman1660]

It's not. Prisons make billions while paying cents an hour to undercut other workers.

[@sparkybehrens9572]

Prisons are punishment not free board & lodging!

[@imuruncle27]

I’ve always said if I was ever in prison, I would much rather work than sit in a cell all day….

[@jbhann]

Wished Forbes would put their "Breaking News" banner in a different location, or be smaller, in order to read the names on the cards.

[@lucysmith110]

Look Bobble Head Bubba in the back 😆😆😆😆😆😆

[@user-tn7ph2ym5v]

Prisoners should do work. If the work is done to profit the state or a business, they should be paid with the stipulation that their pay be used to compensate victims of their crime and pay child support to their families. Companies and governments should not be able to profit from the labor.

[@Art-is-craft]

Nope. Profits are not the concern of the inmate. They either do the work or they do not. It is their loss.

[@colleensmith3374]

Great analysis Senator

[@ImprovmanZero]

The prisons charge bills after discharge billed to the rate of your full sentence not time served

[@Art-is-craft]

It is still a tax funded supplementary system. No amount of work would account for the cost

[@JohnDoe-oj5it]

You don't work you don't EAT get it.

[@CosmicHyperborean]

That applies to those living off inheritances, stocks, annuities, investments, trust funds as well, right?

[@user-zg1wz8fh8f]

@@CosmicHyperborean No, only those who are imprisoned and costing the taxpayers money. Don't be obtuse.

[@gillessimonnet1321]

Oh, OK. You want all inmates who don't work starving ? Isn't a death sentence ? They can't drink neither ? Breath ? No ?

[@jimconner2402]

She is a UP-TALKER!

[@bettye444]

I don’t think the prisoners in TX on the Plantations are forced to work, but perhaps are encouraged.and prefer work rather than doing nothing.

[@billywilds1779]

Most federal prisons have inmate labor. The pay is low about 40 cents per hour. The money inmates receives goes to their commissary bill, stamps, copier, telephone calls. The prison wants inmates to work or be in a program, such programs are GED classes, advanced classes on plumbing, electrical, food service, learning another language. The more the inmates are within a program, the less chances at violence, fights or stealing. The majority of persons entering prisons lack a based HS Diploma or GED. So, it's mandated that inmates that don't have not completed HS, must enrolled into the HS classes within the prison.

[@harolddaley]

all monies earned should go to the prisoners victims, then

[@reformedconvict]

Do all prisoners have victims they already have that its called restitution try not to be so ignorant moving forward its unbecoming

[@cindykisling9015]

​@@reformedconvictAnd not all sentences require restitution. It should! There is always a victim. Let alone attorneys fees, usually they don't pay for!

[@hunkydory900]

Return prisons to the way they were back in the day. HARD LABOR!!!!!

[@kimmerklinger3878]

they should be forced to work

[@jerrywagner4690]

Crazy leftist says what?

[@Wizardof]

Absolutely. They get charged for staying there. But these rich men from Richmond will never understand that. And ONE cigarette is $20.00.

[@__Tazzzo]

They shouldn't get cigs.

[@drewt2790]

The day that people began see prison as rehabilitation, and not punishment, they were defeated.

[@robertwest442]

Make them work

[@American4.ISRAELS.right2exist.]

Oh I wanna know the answer to this one...😮😂

[@candyturn486]

Me too a good ? ❤ 🤔

[@sirpibble]

Ah so his position is law abiding people have bills to pay, therefore companies should be allowed to hire slaves instead of having to give the law abiding americans a job where they can earn money Do I have that about right?

[@jenniferzennifer6949]

They didn't have to go to jail. Do the crime do the time. Why should tax players now pay them.a salary for going to jail. Thats BS

[@sirpibble]

@@jenniferzennifer6949 IHOP isn't funded by tax payers He's making a bad faith smoke screen about muh taxpayers (here's another 100 billion for foreign wars tho)

[@JimbobdwayneSanchez]

@@jenniferzennifer6949 Why should hardworking law abiding citizens lose out on jobs which would normally pay decent wages but no longer exist because private employers can "hire" slave labor from prisons?

[@69BTony]

No he is saying that everyone has to pay bills, so those that chose to live in prisons should have to pay for their living expenses. Also because they have limited their job choices they have to take the only jobs they have limited themselves too by their poor choices.

[@sirpibble]

@@69BTony he's arguing against a bill that would allow prisoners to get paid minimum wage for their work Right now they are used as slave labor and companies can hire them for next to nothing which eliminates job opportunities for regular people I used IHOP as an example because they're notorious for hiring prisoners as slaves to work in their kitchens That's an honest job regular people don't get now

[@nathanielmadden4235]

These ppl are definitely on a different train of thought than others in America. ❤️🇺🇸🙏❤️

[@haroldbranch7971]

forced labor is fair because of the havoc criminals have done

[@chrmartube]

She thinks she is a good person because she stand ups for the rights of bad people. How does she make that make any sense in her head?

[@garygreen2466]

Why have a commit section when the commits are takin down. 1st admenment has just been broke. Freedom of speach. Not on here !!

[@ghosthouse6672]

Prisoner get free college..

[@jamesmccoy3326]

The problem is the incentive to have more prisoners..hmmm..

[@reformedconvict]

It should be a crime how the have privatized the prisons and there contractors to the state and it incentives the private companies to lock up more and more and they dont have to follow the same regulations that state prisons do its crimunal

[@lloydavery7579]

Amazin'!

[@CountryFenderBass]

She’s got those crazy eyes

[@fightmilk8613]

Too many small hats in our government.

[@charlesreaddy6585]

This lady is without a doubt certifiably INSANE!

[@tsunamiiwinterz-px7oz]

She should be in prison for being such a Karen

[@cheekyyankee]

So what? They should work in prison & give back to society.

[@metazare]

It is not true that inmates do not pay rent to the prison system. This is something I learned of recently after seeing a news report about an inmate who was released and was sent a bill for over $100K and it's completely changed my perspective on how the prison system is allowed to operate. When you get out of prison you're sent a bill that you have to pay that is calculated based in part on the time you would have been serving. These bills can rack up to the tens of thousands and easily into 6 figures. The prison system in this country has created the conditions where inmates are kept in financial slavery to the state long after their release. If you can't pay they send you right back to jail. So for people who spend a few years in jail it can very easily lead to a revolving door of in and our of prison, where the prison system also forces them to work. The whole system is designed to keep people in prison by various means. We should not be using prisoners as slave labor, and then billing them for the time they spend doing said labor when they get out. If you want them to work that's fine, but you can't then send them a bill afterwards that amounts to life ruination.

[@RetracingAncientPathways-qm9jk]

Where does America find these people!?

[@regdel8859]

They are ALL NUTS!!!

[@user-ub5pg5pv9n]

Prison is prison, ours are a joke. No deterrent at all.

[@karenjohnson8304]

We have a friend in federal prison that makes $14 a month "working" in there. That's ridiculous.

[@hemihead001]

It's supposed to be punishment not a Job Service or Vacation Resort .

[@dannythunder3180]

If prison conditions and food were better, there would be less debate about this

[@davidmotyka2708]

Yes because their wrongdoing doesn’t make them entitled.

[@Robotpants]

What people don’t get is the prisons are private corporations. They use the prison labor as a massive advantage to bid against other companies on government contracts. Who’s bid is going to be lower? The prisons corporations are also lobbying to pass laws that lead to more incarceration. It’s a racket.

[@williamneal7210]

There is something about the word "Punishment" that applies here...

[@user-fu5nf7vn9z]

Prisoners should all be made to work!

[@louisegoins7630]

Um if you're in prison it is because you are being punished because you are criminal because you broke law(s). I'm not actually sure that prisoners should be receiving any pay for work they do while incarcerated-any wages paid should be used to offset their room, board, medical, etc. I would even think prisoners would be glad to do some type of work to help pass the time. So they most certainly should not be receiving minimum wage pay that law abiding Americans receive. FYI: To that woman-prison is punishment not summer camp.

[@RockOn-kh7kk]

Bless her heart!

[@jerrymoore8355]

Prison is a place of punishment! Not a lifetime vacation with all fees waved!

[@TimHartley-yk2hc]

People who have never been or are afraid they are going .

[@TyShriver]

My lord !! Now we know why our country is screwed up