Prisoners to work in meat industry.
Discussion
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58303679
Is this the beginning of us turning into a US-like system where prisons are used as a cheap labour for private companies? Or an avenue to rehabilitating prisoners into the world of work.
Surely if noone wants to work in meat processing, the answer is to pay higher wages, not to subsidise private industry.
Is this the beginning of us turning into a US-like system where prisons are used as a cheap labour for private companies? Or an avenue to rehabilitating prisoners into the world of work.
Surely if noone wants to work in meat processing, the answer is to pay higher wages, not to subsidise private industry.
Mastodon2 said:
I have no issue with prisoners being used for labour, they might as well do something productive with their time.
The problem is when prisoners are used to distort the free market. Or the avenues for corruption when a prison is competing for contracts. Also the conflicts of interest that can arise:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kids_for_cash_scanda...
Mastodon2 said:
I have no issue with prisoners being used for labour, they might as well do something productive with their time.
Agreed. If that can make their net-drain on society less, then great.I do some work with a low level detention center in the middle of the USA. Their prisoners do all the lawn care and landscaping labor for the public properties in and around the town that this detention center is located in. Great idea in my opinion.
Donbot said:
I don't mind sending criminals to labour camps as long as I don't end up in one. Or anyone I care about etc.
With due respect to those about whom you care: if they commit crimes sufficient to go to prison then I won't feel too bad about them having to do some work.There is also the rehabilitation argument where they learn a trade & get experience of normal life.
glazbagun said:
Mastodon2 said:
I have no issue with prisoners being used for labour, they might as well do something productive with their time.
The problem is when prisoners are used to distort the free market. Or the avenues for corruption when a prison is competing for contracts. Also the conflicts of interest that can arise:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kids_for_cash_scanda...
As i understand it these prisoners are from open prison and due for early release.
Surely we would all prefer that ex-inmates become productive tax paying employees?
To add:
J Timpson has been doing this for many years to the benefit of many ex convicts and us when we get shoes repaired, watch batteries changed etc.
Bernard Mathews has also been employing ex prisoners.
Edited by Nickgnome on Monday 23 August 18:39
The system in the USA is no different to slave labour, and as such is allowed under the constitution.
If particular industries pay the going rate for labour, then so be it. They won't, though, will they. The going rate will end up being calculated taking into account the fact that those who perform the tasks will have little/no options. Even then, they won't pay all the on-costs so companies will be subsidised.
It's a terrible idea.
As a short term idea just before release, it's got a lot going for it. I'd support that.
If particular industries pay the going rate for labour, then so be it. They won't, though, will they. The going rate will end up being calculated taking into account the fact that those who perform the tasks will have little/no options. Even then, they won't pay all the on-costs so companies will be subsidised.
It's a terrible idea.
As a short term idea just before release, it's got a lot going for it. I'd support that.
Nickgnome said:
There is a large dearth of labour across many sectors. Therefore they are taking no ones job.
As i understand it these prisoners are from open prison and due for early release.
Surely we would all prefer that ex-inmates become productive tax paying employees?
To add:
J Timpson has been doing this for many years to the benefit of many ex convicts and us when we get shoes repaired, watch batteries changed etc.
Bernard Mathews has also been employing ex prisoners.
As a general idea I think it's great. The devil is probably in the detail. If it is in any way similar to what Timpson does then it will be fantastic for everyone involved. As i understand it these prisoners are from open prison and due for early release.
Surely we would all prefer that ex-inmates become productive tax paying employees?
To add:
J Timpson has been doing this for many years to the benefit of many ex convicts and us when we get shoes repaired, watch batteries changed etc.
Bernard Mathews has also been employing ex prisoners.
Edited by Nickgnome on Monday 23 August 18:39
Biggy Stardust said:
Donbot said:
I don't mind sending criminals to labour camps as long as I don't end up in one. Or anyone I care about etc.
With due respect to those about whom you care: if they commit crimes sufficient to go to prison then I won't feel too bad about them having to do some work.There is also the rehabilitation argument where they learn a trade & get experience of normal life.
When I was in my late teens, early twenties I had a job at a meat processing plant.
Most of the butchers on the line were just that, mainly ex butchers whose shop work had dried up due to the rise of the supermarket and who ironically the processor supplied.
Wages back in 2000 were considered decent and above average for factory work. Fortunately I left for a career in the military and just as the first murmurings of 'Polish labour' started to materialise.
I certainly wouldn't class it as a job where you could throw unskilled labour at it nor would I expect anyone to do it for less than market value. It was a hard job that gave a satisfaction of a wage well-earnt.
Most of the butchers on the line were just that, mainly ex butchers whose shop work had dried up due to the rise of the supermarket and who ironically the processor supplied.
Wages back in 2000 were considered decent and above average for factory work. Fortunately I left for a career in the military and just as the first murmurings of 'Polish labour' started to materialise.
I certainly wouldn't class it as a job where you could throw unskilled labour at it nor would I expect anyone to do it for less than market value. It was a hard job that gave a satisfaction of a wage well-earnt.
BabySharkDooDooDooDooDooDoo said:
I’d rather Subsiding an industry unwilling to pay a decent rate of pay doesn’t seem right.
Agreed. Just at a time when a long overdue upward pressure on wages looked possibleNice cushion from the impact of Brexit though. Lets get them HGV licences while we’re at it.
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