* Prisoners watch TV or lift weights all day.
* Taxpayers pay for the prisoner's TV channels (basic cable), weights, and other activities or recreation.
* Longer prison sentences reduce recidivism (re-offending).
* Prisoners get free college degrees.
Although some prisoners do spend much of their day watching TV or lifting weights, many more prisoners spend much of their day working for the Department of Corrections (DOC) making on average, less than $1 per day. Whether it is sweeping, mopping, and dusting, preparing or serving meals, or dozens of other "prison jobs", most prisoners stay busy working, not playing.
It is prisoners, not taxpayers, who pay for recreation equipment, activities, and cable TV channels. Prisoners are required to purchase their own hygiene items, OTC meds, supplemental vitamins and snack foods, and even their own seasonings like salt and pepper. By over-charging prisoners for these items, the DOC is able to use the "profit" to create a "Prisoner Benefit Fund." This fund is what pays for most of the "extras" prisoners have. It even pays for new books for the library. Most people would be surprised to find that the majority of the corrections budget is for officer salaries/benefits, and retirement plans, not for prisoner benefits.
Recent studies conducted by the federal government and several state governments show that longer prison sentences do not equate to reduced recidivism. In fact, longer prison sentences tend to result in fewer community and family connections which can contribute to higher instances of re-offense. Education, psychological counseling, and vocational training, which are all proven to reduce recidivism, are being cut due to federal and state budget woes.
Years ago the federal government allowed prisoners to apply for PELL grants. This allowed some prisoners to earn college degrees while in prison. While I think this is an excellent idea because education is proven to reduce recidivism, the federal government caved under pressure and has stopped allowing prisoners to apply for PELL grants. Because there are no known organizations that will pay for prisoners to get a college degree, prisoners must pay for their own. Since most prisoners come from poor situations, this is next to impossible.
I'm sure there are many other misconceptions about prison due to TV depictions and long-held beliefs. Hopefully this information helps dispel some of those myths and misconceptions.
* Taxpayers pay for the prisoner's TV channels (basic cable), weights, and other activities or recreation.
* Longer prison sentences reduce recidivism (re-offending).
* Prisoners get free college degrees.
Although some prisoners do spend much of their day watching TV or lifting weights, many more prisoners spend much of their day working for the Department of Corrections (DOC) making on average, less than $1 per day. Whether it is sweeping, mopping, and dusting, preparing or serving meals, or dozens of other "prison jobs", most prisoners stay busy working, not playing.
It is prisoners, not taxpayers, who pay for recreation equipment, activities, and cable TV channels. Prisoners are required to purchase their own hygiene items, OTC meds, supplemental vitamins and snack foods, and even their own seasonings like salt and pepper. By over-charging prisoners for these items, the DOC is able to use the "profit" to create a "Prisoner Benefit Fund." This fund is what pays for most of the "extras" prisoners have. It even pays for new books for the library. Most people would be surprised to find that the majority of the corrections budget is for officer salaries/benefits, and retirement plans, not for prisoner benefits.
Recent studies conducted by the federal government and several state governments show that longer prison sentences do not equate to reduced recidivism. In fact, longer prison sentences tend to result in fewer community and family connections which can contribute to higher instances of re-offense. Education, psychological counseling, and vocational training, which are all proven to reduce recidivism, are being cut due to federal and state budget woes.
Years ago the federal government allowed prisoners to apply for PELL grants. This allowed some prisoners to earn college degrees while in prison. While I think this is an excellent idea because education is proven to reduce recidivism, the federal government caved under pressure and has stopped allowing prisoners to apply for PELL grants. Because there are no known organizations that will pay for prisoners to get a college degree, prisoners must pay for their own. Since most prisoners come from poor situations, this is next to impossible.
I'm sure there are many other misconceptions about prison due to TV depictions and long-held beliefs. Hopefully this information helps dispel some of those myths and misconceptions.
