At a time when unemployment rates are sure to soar, as a result of budget cuts, criminals are getting paid to be criminals.If a school principal or teacher is forced out of work in order to make ends meet here in Texas, then certainly we cannot afford to extend wages to criminals for pulling their weight around in prison. Representative Jerry Madden introduced an amendment to the budget that would eliminate funding for the Youth Commission, and ultimately the "student employment" program. Hundreds of government employees have already lost their jobs with no hope of relief, yet we continue to unknowingly pick up the tab for the "student employment" program with taxpayer dollars. To make matters even worse, their wages are tax-free! If the point of this program is to rehabilitate youths and bring them back into society, then why have they started crippling them with special privileges. If anything this program might get them off to a bad start. Youths should not be allowed to think that they have to be paid for taking care of their responsibilities, their will be no colorful incentives to keep them going after they do their time.
The student employment program at the Texas Youth Commission allows for youths to be paid from fifty cents to two dollars an hour. Our young offenders earn their wages by contributing to the custodial, administrative, food service, and maintenance chores. This year alone the program is costing the state one hundred and sixty-seven thousand dollars. It might not seem like much right away but when you think of the hundreds of jobless , well-educated government employees, that number is suddenly magnified. The student employment program is only adding to the already high, unnecessary cost of placing a youth in one of these facilities. In 2010 the average cost per day per youth was three hundred and fifty-nine dollars. People learn from their mistakes the hard way, if not, they have no consequences to encourage positive behavior. The young offenders of Texas must learn that everything they do comes with consequences and that it takes hard work to fix their mistakes, therefore they will hopefully learn not to make the same mistake twice.
RE: Paying Criminals for Their Crimes
ReplyDeleteI can’t help but agree with Erika De Los Santos, while reading her article Paying Criminals for Their Crimes. It’s ridiculous knowing that with budget cuts continuing criminals are getting a raise. I don't disagree with them being rewarded for helping and working while in prison but I completely disagree with giving them a raise. What’s the point? Although they aren’t paid that much they are still very costly. If "the average cost per youth per day" is $359 dollars, they have to play a big part in the budget.
Soon there will be many unemployed teachers. No one is paying for there expenses, they are going to have to figure out a way to make ends meet. Just the thought of it bothers me. This doesn't seam like a reasonable expense. Instead of giving them a raise they should be thinking of programs to help all the unemployed teacher to come.
Will there be certain requirements the inmates must reach in order to obtain a raise, or is it being given to any inmate that works? This would be a little bit more understandable if they had to have good behavior for a certain number of years. It is unfair that this money will be tax-free. Maybe in some way the inmates will not be prepared to go back and settle in with society again. If they are all given a rise they might expect that from then on in life, which is unrealistic. Its a good thing its not set and done yet, because it just seams outrageous.
Erika made very valid points in her blog and helped me to see a different approach to the subject, mainly when she spoke of the unemployed teachers. The blog was very understandable and interesting. I also thought it was a good blog thanks to the way she framed it, numerically. When someone sees the numbers, they become more interested and are able to relate better.
In a blog titled, “The White and Black of Government,” by Erika De Los Santos, some things were mentioned that caught my attention on posting titled, Paying Criminals for their crimes. Why in the world would taxpayers be okay with paying youths in Texas prisons for cleaning, cooking and administrative services. The reason they are locked up is for a crime that was committed, not for helping an elderly man or woman with their groceries. Paying these criminals for doing what must be done on a daily basis should not be an option. De Los Santos mentions that the money to pay these individuals comes from tax payers and on top of that, their wages are tax free. As mentioned in her blog, we plan to dismiss teachers and principals to meet with budget cuts, then we certainly can cut the money being used to compensate the bad behaved youths. Another point mentioned in her blog that I liked was “people learn from their mistakes the hard way, if not, they have no consequences to encourage positive behavior. By allowing this program to continue, we only encourage for more criminals to appear and the more money it costs the state of Texas to keep them locked up for however long. The dollar amounts mentioned were absolutely goofy. I can not believe that the state of Texas spends that much money on this “student employment” program. I agree with De Los Santos when she states that young offenders must learn from their mistakes and that it takes hard work to make it right. No criminal should be allowed the privilege of compensation while locked up that righteous people earn on a daily basis for good behavior.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading Erika’s blog entitled “Paying Criminals For Their Crimes,” I would also have to agree with her. It’s absolutely ridiculous that these youth offenders are being compensated for work. It’s almost as if they are being rewarded for committing crime. We don’t pay adults in prisons for work, so you kind of have to wonder why on earth would we do not do the same for youth offenders. How are they any different? Both committed crime. Maybe the crime was not as severe but indeed a crime was still committed. At that, I’ve learned that these earnings are tax free! Offenders are using these funds to pay for things such as child support, court costs, fines, as well as other remarkable dues. I also agree with how she states that these young offenders should learn from their mistakes. They shouldn’t just be given a slap on the wrist. Realize the mistake you made and make sure it doesn’t repeat itself.
ReplyDeleteWe are over here having severe budget cuts within our schools to honest hard working teachers when instead the budget cuts should be within our correctional facilities. It seems there is a lot of unnecessary spending around these areas.
Erika De Los Santos, of The White and Black of Government, makes a great point with her post Paying Criminals for their Crimes. By giving criminal youths the ability to earn money as they serve their punishment, it allows them to suck money from our already dry budget, while state employees face unemployment. The fact that the money earned by the youths isn't taxed is ridiculous. Under the table dealings for criminals over salaries for state workers doesn't exactly sound fair. Erika is right on point with her criticisms. The last few sentences totally sealed it for me, people, especially criminals, should learn from their mistakes and it really sucks that these people are benefiting from our state workers' losses. Great job to Ericka for giving a both factual and opinionated critique.
ReplyDelete