Article: Prisoners set to earn money

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Sly21C

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A WELL-BEHAVED and hard-working prisoner can walk away from a life behind bars with up to R20,000 in his pocket to start a new life without the temptation to steal or rob to survive.

This is if the criminal is willing to go through rehabilitation programmes and is lucky enough to be hired by a trading entity soon to be established by the Department of Correctional Services, said Minister Sbu Ndebele.

Ndebele said this yesterday in Boksburg at a colloquium with various stakeholders to discuss overcrowding, alternative sentencing as well as the draft White Paper on Remand Detention Management in South Africa.

The trading entity will help expand the enterprises already being run from select prisons around the country. They offer agricultural products and furniture to government departments and the public for sale.

Ndebele explained that the prisoners would be paid for their work but would only get the money when they leave prison.
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http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/2012/11/20/prisoners-set-to-earn-money

I'm speechless...
 
Actually, this may not be a bad idea. It will give them something to do and they may acquire valuable skills.
 
Garyvdh said:
Actually, this may not be a bad idea. It will give them something to do and they may acquire valuable skills.
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+1 A very needed system if we ever want to make prison a place for bad people to get better.
 
I'd support this.

They work -> they get paid. The products they sell are used to pay the prisoners + pay for expenses of running the "business".

They also get a skill or two in the process (woodworking etc) which can be used once they are released again.
 
so... crime does pay then :P
I also think it's a good idea.
 
Sounds good if it is for first time offenders only and that the money is only paid from the proceeds of the prison industries.

On the downside. Letting this government mess around with money is bad news.
 
Screw them!

Place prisoners in chain gangs and make them work on public works projects. If needs be teach them how to operate equipment and in the process they will gain a valuable skill.

A criminal, if not rehabilitated, will take that R20,000, moer it against the wall and go off and behave like a tosser again because he won't have anything to fall back on.
 
I like this idea. As long as they aren't allowed to join a union -- that'll just end in tears.
 
Yes excellent idea! These prisoners are doing no good sitting on their asses all day. Far better to get them working and earning an honest day's pay. As has already been mentioned it will hopefully give these guys some of the skills necessary to become positive contributing members of society once their sentences are up.

That and (also already mentioned) the profits can be used to help maintain the prisons perhaps even taking some pressure off the already squished taxpayer (I know, I laughed as I wrote that too but one can always hope :p).
 
Norway has a very good prisoner rehabilitation programme and it had great results. I am however concerned that this might give criminals an incentive to do a bit more crime.
 
This will help those who turn to crime out of desperation, but certainly not seasoned criminals. I hope the vetting process is comprehensive. A criminal with R20,000 in his pocket is still a criminal...
 
I'm in favour of this, if it will help them get back on the feet without the temptation to turn to crime in order to do so. However, the punishment for repeat offenders will then need to be much harsher.
 
The government needs to change their calendars in all their departments because it's stuck on 1 April. Like thestaggy said earlier, get criminals to build houses and to build roads or old age homes so the elderly can live out their golden years in a safe and peaceful environment. How on earth is R20 000 in a criminals pocket going to solve anything, I worked with people that got their pension and provident fund payout but instead of buying their house from the council they spent the money on booze and flashy things then needed to apply for work again because the rent was due.

Crime pays in South Africa.
 
waynegohl said:
The government needs to change their calendars in all their departments because it's stuck on 1 April. Like thestaggy said earlier, get criminals to build houses and to build roads or old age homes so the elderly can live out their golden years in a safe and peaceful environment. How on earth is R20 000 in a criminals pocket going to solve anything, I worked with people that got their pension and provident fund payout but instead of buying their house from the council they spent the money on booze and flashy things then needed to apply for work again because the rent was due.

Crime pays in South Africa.
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It's not just R20k - its R20k and a job that will see them entering the workforce as productive individuals.
 
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