Don’t get me wrong though prisoners still earn a pittance, anything under 2 Euros/hour has just been declared definitely unconstitutional – that’s raw, untaxed wage though without deduction for any costs, a day of prison costs the state something like 120 Euros and those grills sell like hotcakes even at those prices so why would the state lower prices.
What you should definitely look at in this context is, two things: First, where the money is flowing: Are the prisons hiring out prisoners at a pittance allowing private companies to reap profit still burdening society with the full costs of lockup – or, worse, the profits exceeding the lockup costs and prisoners not seeing a cent of that excess. That’s called straight-up slavery, no ambiguity or grey zone to be had there. Secondly, whether the prisoners actually and truly benefit – and I don’t really mean in monetary terms (though if you go poor to prison you definitely shouldn’t go out indebted, that’s bad policy), but in terms of being able to get a proper and dignified job afterwards: Mindlessly folding cardboard boxes which a machine could do for cheaper if it wasn’t for the fact that you’re earning a cent an hour vs. to wit above, people becoming skilled metalworkers. One of those makes recidivism less likely, the other teaches inmates that labour is something no sane person would ever want to do.
Meanwhile, the price of products of prison labour in Germany. About the best grills you can get, anywhere, period. All 2mm stainless, well thought through design (removable rods!), excellent craftsmanship.
Don’t get me wrong though prisoners still earn a pittance, anything under 2 Euros/hour has just been declared definitely unconstitutional – that’s raw, untaxed wage though without deduction for any costs, a day of prison costs the state something like 120 Euros and those grills sell like hotcakes even at those prices so why would the state lower prices.
What you should definitely look at in this context is, two things: First, where the money is flowing: Are the prisons hiring out prisoners at a pittance allowing private companies to reap profit still burdening society with the full costs of lockup – or, worse, the profits exceeding the lockup costs and prisoners not seeing a cent of that excess. That’s called straight-up slavery, no ambiguity or grey zone to be had there. Secondly, whether the prisoners actually and truly benefit – and I don’t really mean in monetary terms (though if you go poor to prison you definitely shouldn’t go out indebted, that’s bad policy), but in terms of being able to get a proper and dignified job afterwards: Mindlessly folding cardboard boxes which a machine could do for cheaper if it wasn’t for the fact that you’re earning a cent an hour vs. to wit above, people becoming skilled metalworkers. One of those makes recidivism less likely, the other teaches inmates that labour is something no sane person would ever want to do.