While America struggles to find an answer to massive unemployment, the solution may already be available within its borders. Employment is on the rise in prisons across the United States, and American produced goods are now not only more available in the US, but are making their way overseas to countries that don’t have a ban against the use of prisoner labor. America has one fourth of the world’s prison population, more—much more in most cases—than any other nation, giving it the best possible position as the world leader in a prison based economic system. Even China, a country always thought to have a great number of prisoners (many political) has half a million fewer in jail despite a population of four and a half times the USA. It means that America already is in a position to provide the world with the majority of cheap labor, and an increase in numbers looks very promising.
The use of prison labor is very beneficial for companies that want to do business in the US. Citizens of America, through their taxes, cover the costs for worker housing, food, and healthcare. This cuts the financial burden for business down to only paying wages, and those at a true fraction of minimum wage. The manufactured goods can be marked, “Made in America,” which gives patriotic appeal, and still be very price competitive with countries that do and certainly those that don’t keep their workers in prisons. By shifting the burden of living expenses onto taxpayers without including those taxpayers in the profits, business can expect a great boost to the bottom line and, in turn, increased stock values. It is a win situation.
But if it’s good for business, it may be as good for those who are incarcerated. Most people enter the prison system without the security of consistent shelter, food, or healthcare. In prison, all needs are taken care of by the state. It’s something no one who hasn’t been convicted of a crime can even hope for in America—socialized medicine. If that weren’t enough, the prison workweek is about 45 hours and there is no commute. By contrast, Americans who have a job often contribute 60 or more hours a week; some for good pay and benefits, others just to pay rent, utilities, and for a little fun money to buy food. Add to those prison laborer financial benefits, the fact that there is small chance that a prison will file Chapter 11, or little risk of having their fringe benefits cut, and it’s clear to see what’s in this for them. So it is, in fact, a win-win situation.
Considering the benefits, the obvious objective for America needs to be focused on shifting from a union-based, work for hire economic system, to a prison-based one. It needs to extend beyond telemarketing and light manufacturing into full-blown production. Only in this way will American companies be able to compete globally, maintain profit goals, and continue to pay bonuses sufficient enough to lure the right people into employment to run things on the outside.
How should these prison jobs be doled out to the population? Well, not everyone could be incarcerated right away; it will take time for the old economy to completely crumble. At first, job seekers will need to continue to apply by holding up a bank or other such place. Alternatively, they can obtain and carry with them a sufficient enough quantity of any one of several controlled substances. (What, and how much is sufficient, will vary by state: check local laws.) Even acts of raw vandalism may be good enough to show a person is a serious candidate. And, third-time rehires in most states are eligible for tenure. Those who apply but aren’t contacted by law enforcement for a follow-up interview will have a few extra dollars income from their attempt, and they can always try again once the money runs out.
Obviously, priority for prison applications will continue to be given first to the poor and undereducated (both of which are in themselves a growth industry in the US), but it is essential to bring the middle class in as quickly as possible after that. Frankly, they just can’t handle it on the outside for much longer.