Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't prisoners already working computers for business? As a work program it's kind of a modern day 'chain gang'. I've heard from several sources that if you order stuff over the phone, you could be talking to an inmate and not even Know it.

They still have them here in North Carolina. Of course, they're not literally chained together. But as far I know, the inmates enjoy it (as long as it's not too hot), and strive to earn the priviledge. I once passed a group on the side of highway 74, turned around, went back by and threw out half a pack of cigarrettes. I hope they saw it. I did it real quick nonchalant like so the man didn't see me. Why not, most of those poor guys are just in their for some silly pot charge or something - at least most of the ones who get to go out and work. But yeah, I'm all for it, and I know they are as well. )))))))))))))))))))))))UPDATE: I think a couple raters on here are missing two key points: #1 most of the inmates that get on a work crew are in for relatively minor charges (pot possession, DUI, etc) well, at least not violent crime. #2 - they ENJOY it. They strive for the priviledge. They get paid, and they get to be on the outside all day. So, for the raters who think this is some kind of nasty punishment that teaches them a lesson, you're sadly mistaken.

Many states don't like this because it opens a flood gate of litigation, but some do it anyway. I say do it. Incarceration should not be comfortable.

We have them in Arizona. Great use of otherwise useless people.

I Think this is a great idea. I have no problem with the concept of hard labor, and it would't bother me a bit if they were chained together either. Of course, it would depend on the crime, and with checks along the way to prevent just the sort of abuse that Tboneya mentions in his comment. Maybe if prisons were made as unpleasant as possible, potential criminals would think twice about going to, or returning to prison.

They would not have to be literally chained together, but I would definitely have them picking up trash, etc., instead of paying county or state workers to do so.

If states vote and decide this for themselves, fine. I wouldn't make this some federal mandate. Would it be worse in Florida heat or Alaska cold? Yikes.

There should be some type of productive activity that would benefit society considering we pay for them to sit there.

I agree that Prisoners make for an excellent Free Labor source. Of course it would'nt be Free. We'd still have to pay to transport, guard, supply and support them. There are also no doubt civil rights issues. Also....do you really want to see prisoners out in public? I think most people would prefer if they were just unseen.

We already have prison work gangs in my state. I see them all the time working in the fields on the prison vegetable farm off the highway. And I see them patching holes and fixing guardrails along the highway too. I don't know what purpose would be served by chaining them together. Seems to me it would make them less efficient. To my knowledge there has only ever been one escape from a work gang innthis state and that guy was caught within a few hours. It's hard to go unnoticed in a bright orange jumpsuit.