More on prison labour

[Thorne]

I have mixed feelings on prison labor, but making fire fighters of criminals seems like an especially bad idea.

Depends on the fire. Using prisoners to help fight forest fires is an old idea, one with benefits for the community and the prisoners. There never seems to be enough help when fighting forest fires. But using prisoners as the basis for a community fire department? Nope! Not so good.

[thir]

Depends on the fire. Using prisoners to help fight forest fires is an old idea, one with benefits for the community and the prisoners. There never seems to be enough help when fighting forest fires. But using prisoners as the basis for a community fire department? Nope! Not so good.

Exactly, but there is also - with other 'solutions - taking real jobs from non-convicts so unemployment goes up.