MADE IN PRISON:
SOCIAL JUSTICE OR INJUSTICE

by

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

SUMMARY 3

PROBLEM 3

BACKGROUND 4

DISCUSSION 5

CONCLUSIONS 7

WORKS CITED AND REFERNECES 8

SUMMARY

MADE IN PRISON! How would you like to see this stamped on the bottom of one of your kids toys? This is reality. For thousands of years prisoners throughout the world have been subjected to prison labor. Whether it is the building of the Egyptian Pyramids or the chain gangs of the Deep South, the convenience of prison labor has not been overlooked. In our current social dilemma, we see a labor force that is being bolstered behind the heavy-steel gates, mountainous walls, and razor-sharp bobbed wire fences. More and more, private industry along with public-and-private correctional facilities are joining forces to create jobs for inmates, while at the same time increasing profits for private organizations. Some may argue that prison labor is a legitimate form of retribution to society, but there are the others that believe that a forced or coerced prison labor force is a sign of modern day slavery.

PROBLEM

What exists here is a dilemma between justice and the perception of justice. Prisons and jails continue to overcrowd and the population of inmates is now somewhere in the two million range (Atkinson p. 1). Society is seeking retribution for the crimes committed by those that are incarcerated, and private enterprise is seeking to benefit from the incarcerated. To house prisoners it costs the taxpayer money. Taxpayers have already taken the burden of being victimized and now is faced with the burden of housing the criminal. It costs approximately $28,000/yr to house a prisoner (Cysper p. 1). Outside organizations have been tapping into