As migrant laborers flee Colorado because of tough new immigration restrictions, worried farmers are looking to prisoners to fill their places in the fields. In a pilot program run by the state Corrections Department, supervised teams of low-risk inmates beginning this month will be available to harvest the swaths of sweet corn, peppers and melons that sweep the southeastern portion of the state. Under the program, which has drawn criticism from groups concerned about immigrants’ rights and from others seeking changes in the criminal justice system, farmers will pay a fee to the state, and the inmates, who volunteer for the work, will be paid about 60 cents a day, corrections officials said. |
Although chain gangs and prison farms have long been staples of American correctional culture, the concept of inmates working on private farms is unusual. But there are signs that other states are following suit. The Iowa Department of Corrections is considering a similar program because of a migrant labor shortage in that state. Several Iowa farmers called recently to request inmates in lieu of migrant workers, said Roger Baysden, the director of the state’s prison industries program. One farmer asked for as many as 200 inmates, Mr. Baysden said. |
With the start of the farming season looming, Colorado’s farmers are scrambling to figure out which crops to sow and in what quantity. Some are considering turning to field corn, which is mechanically harvested. And they are considering whether they want to pay for an urban inmate who could not single out a ripe watermelon or discern between a weed and an onion plant. “This is not a cure-all,†Mr. Pisciotta said. “What our farm laborers do is a skill. They’re born with it, and they’re good at it. It’s not an easy job.†|
and any monies made by these prisoners should go into the victim's fund.
Quoteand any monies made by these prisoners should go into the victim's fund.
What if there is no victim?
It should go into the 3DHS fund for continual improvement.
Interesting. So far, none of the responders but Kimba seems concerned about the use of prisoners. And BT seemed concerned that the state government might be getting gypped. Huh. Oh well.
What was not emphasized was that both states where programs like this are under evaluation have Dem governors in the statehouse.
What also was not emphasized was what lobbying groups conributed to which legislators so that this trial could take place.
And though they did point out that the prisoner/laborers recieved 60 cents a day compensation it did not provide details as to the states cut.
Your comment about pot smokers just goes to show how much work the libertarian party has in front of it and how little it has accomplished thus far.
Just so you know, i think some drug laws need revisiting. But that has more to do with personal experience and observation than it does some libertarian treatise.
I am surprised that you object to prisoners volunteering to work outside prison gates. It's a free exchange of labor for modest reward. It is their time they are volunteering and i don't see where they are coerced to participate.
Would you object as much if they were paid the current rate for migrant workers?
I don't care what the party affiliation of the state governors might be. And I was not criticizing a political party.
The simple fact is that apparently our fruits and vegetables are going to be brought to table by lawbreakers.
Do you suppose that something is profoundly wrong with the law?
If the workers we need for feeding ourselves got together and determined to scrupulously obey the aw for one harvest season , by the next harvest season there would be some new law.
Do you suppose that something is profoundly wrong with the law?