Night in The Box

[flwyd]

Private prison construction is a $2 billion a year industry. Its profitability is rivaled by the private administration of prisons. This is a fundamentally flawed system because it gives groups a financial incentive for lots of people to break the law. It is in the interest of prison service companies for people to commit rape, burglary, arson, and murder. It is further in their interest for as many behaviors to be criminalized as possible. The prison industry contributes more to political campaigns than the NRA, and you can bet they don't support the decriminalization of nonviolent private drug use.

I have a better solution which could increase the profits of such companies while decreasing the crime incentive. When your system administrator wants to protect a computer, he doesn't build a firewall around everyone who could compromise the computer in question. Rather, he builds a firewall around the computer.

Analogously, prison companies could offer their services to people concerned about the dangerous world. The terrorists won't blow you up if you lock yourself in jail. I imagine such customers would be willing to pay more for better accommodations. Comfortable beds, private showers, better food. And just think of all the annoying tasks they'd do for you -- cooking, shopping, cleaning, screening mail... And most of it is provided at minimal cost by prisoners!

Jail: The Original Gated Community.

Comments

[slyviolet.livejournal.com]

I like foods that aren't mush, and clothes that aren't orange.

[malakim-angel.livejournal.com]

I agree. Our whole prison system is jacked. They should turn them into Zen Monasteries, where prisoners meditate and grow their own food. Now THAT would be rehabilitating!

[hattrickflyer.livejournal.com]

But then they'd learn the 5 martial secrets of the Zen Masters, or something, and come back to kick all our asses hand-to-hand. We don't want that!

[slyviolet.livejournal.com]

You make a good point...

[vvvexation.livejournal.com]

Oh, I just can't resist:

"'[The number of lunatics] is becoming greater every year,' said a pompous man, whom I recognized as the self- appointed showman on the day of the picnic.

`So they say,' replied Arthur. `And, when ninety per cent. of us are lunatics,' (he seemed to be in a wildly nonsensical mood) `the asylums will be put to their proper use.'

`And that is--?' the pompous man gravely enquired.

`To shelter the sane!' said Arthur. `We shall bar ourselves in. The lunatics will have it all their own way, outside. They'll do it a little queerly, no doubt. Railway-collisions will be always happening: steamers always blowing up: most of the towns will be burnt down: most of the ships sunk--'

`And most of the men killed!' murmured the pompous man, who was evidently hopelessly bewildered.

`Certainly,' Arthur assented. `Till at last there will be fewer lunatics than sane men. Then we come out: they go in: and things return to their normal condition!'

The pompous man frowned darkly, and bit his lip, and folded his arms vainly trying to think it out. `He is jesting!' he muttered to himself at last, in a tone of withering contempt, as he stalked away."

--Lewis Carroll, Sylvie and Bruno Concluded

[malakim-angel.livejournal.com]

thank you for the reminder to read more Lewis Carroll :)