prison inmates to replace union janitors & groundskeepers

[AlohaRainbow]

curious as to what posters think about this:

Ohio to use prison inmates as janitors at State House
(the inmates would replace union janitors and groundskeepers that have been laid off)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,516900,00.html

[flareon]

Wasn't this common practice in the south years ago?

In a way I think it is a good idea because now the prisoners are just leaching off the system. If there is some way to lessen the cost, it could be a good idea.

[AlohaRainbow]

The second worse thing about Prison or jail is the boredom. The first is the fouth rate food that is served. I suspect most but not all will be glad to have something to do and for the lucky, be outside. Will they get paid like the license plate folks?

according to the article, they'll get paid the top amount allowed for prisoners working outside of the prison, $100 per month

[flareon]

I was reading today where they were going to use prisoners to pick crab meat in one state. They are having a hard time with work visas for the usual people who did it, so they want to use the prisoners.

[watcher2005]

curious as to what posters think about this:

Ohio to use prison inmates as janitors at State House
(the inmates would replace union janitors and groundskeepers that have been laid off)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,516900,00.html


I think it is bad.

[Hey Paula]

curious as to what posters think about this:

Ohio to use prison inmates as janitors at State House
(the inmates would replace union janitors and groundskeepers that have been laid off)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,516900,00.html

I don't think the union is pleased with this arrangement, and it's also causing increased unemployment in Ohio.

[flareon]

I think it is bad.

Why? Is it because you think it is taking advantage of people in prison?

[flareon]

I don't think the union is pleased with this arrangement, and it's also causing increased unemployment in Ohio.

That may be the case, but it doesn't make sense to just make busy work jobs in order to say that someone is employed. If the state can cut costs by using prisoners to do these job, it makes perfect sense to do it. The state is already expending a huge amount of money keeping them fed and housed.

[bagerroness]

I don't think the union is pleased with this arrangement, and it's also causing increased unemployment in Ohio.
true... and Ohio has been hit very, very hard this year with Unemployment, they really dont' need this or any more job losses.. IMO

[bagerroness]

Where will this end? will eventually prisonors be used off the prison grounds to fill other jobs elsewhere in communities and cause more lay offs? They are in "prison" for a reason.. if they are serving time for murder or other egregious crimes.. their victims don't have that same right. Suffering consequences to me does not equate to taking jobs from law abiding citizens.. IMO

[Baroness]

Instead of putting hard working men and women out of work how about they start a prison industry?

In other states they make jeans, office building furniture, electronics, or they grow food and supply the state institutions or they do recycling.

Not only does the state get an income from selling the items they also don't have to spend money to buy things the prisoners make and grow.

Kate

[LisaM22]

curious as to what posters think about this:

Ohio to use prison inmates as janitors at State House
(the inmates would replace union janitors and groundskeepers that have been laid off)

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,516900,00.html

less jobs for the people and ex-cons still in prison running around the state house.... that is what I think

[shiloh2000]

More job losses :thumbdown: Prisoners are fed and housed every day by our taxes. The people who lost their jobs because of this WHO is going to feed their families? WHO is going to pay their bills? Food stamps and welfare and unemployment. Which are paid by whom? Taxpayers.

Double whammy!

[AlohaRainbow]

just to clarify (from the article http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,516900,00.html )

"Get the money reinstated, and we'll bring the employees back," Carleton said. "I'm not the one who cut the budget."
----------
the job losses (layoffs of union workers) had already happened due to state budget cuts... iow, prison inmates being used as labor didn't cause the layoffs/job losses, using prison inmates was a response to the layoffs.

the union filed a grievance on wednesday, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

[LisaM22]

just to clarify (from the article http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,516900,00.html )

"Get the money reinstated, and we'll bring the employees back," Carleton said. "I'm not the one who cut the budget."
----------
the job losses (layoffs of union workers) had already happened due to state budget cuts... iow, prison inmates being used as labor didn't cause the layoffs/job losses, using prison inmates was a response to the layoffs.

the union filed a grievance on wednesday, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

how about they go without, when they get the money again, then they can go with, if the employees lose then so should they, they can clean up their own mess until the employees are back to work - any high paying jobs they can cut that would maybe save a dozen jobs out there - jmho