AL: Inmates Can Replace Illegal Hispanic Farmhands

Dusty · 10-07-2011, 16:03

Eureka! Now, why didn't I think of that?

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1011/65405.html

Alabama farmers frantically looking for workers to replace those that have fled the state in the wake of its tough new immigration law should just stop by their local prison, according to the head of Alabama’s agriculture department.

John McMillan, commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, told the Montgomery Advertiser on Thursday that inmate labor through the state’s work-release program offers a short-term solution to the sudden labor shortage that has hit Alabama since enforcement of its illegal immigration law kicked in.

Some farmers have said the state’s new law has driven away Hispanic migrant farm workers — and without another potential labor source, they say produce may have to be left to rot in the fields.

“We are optimistic that by Monday, we will have some help for farmers,” McMillan said.

Under the law, employers must use the E-Verify system to check workers’ legality and police can ask for documentation of anyone they stop, detain or arrest.

Snip

cat in the hat · 10-07-2011, 18:09

let the inmates do the nastiest field work and anyone on welfare can do rest. if they don't want to do the work they can go hungry.

**PRB** · 10-07-2011, 18:25

Real rehab...learn a skill!

Surgicalcric · 10-07-2011, 18:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat in the hat

let the inmates do the nastiest field work and anyone on welfare can do rest. if they don't want to do the work they can go hungry.

Well said...very well said!!!

Crip

Oldrotorhead · 10-07-2011, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by cat in the hat

let the inmates do the nastiest field work and anyone on welfare can do rest. if they don't want to do the work they can go hungry.

But! But! you'll hurt their self esteem!

Sten · 10-08-2011, 07:47

Ask the soviets how conscripted farm labor worked out for them.

Dusty · 10-08-2011, 08:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sten

Ask the soviets how conscripted farm labor worked out for them.

That was for the collective. This would be for profit.

**Eagle5US** · 10-08-2011, 09:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sten

Ask the soviets how conscripted farm labor worked out for them.

I wouldn't consider either of these cases to be conscripted farm labor.

You have one group who sits on their ass all day while we feed and house them (inmates) and we have another group who sits on their ass all day while we feed, house AND PAY them (welfare recipients)

Heaven forbid we actually ask people to WORK.

**Ambush Master** · 10-08-2011, 09:22

Harris County, Texas used to have a "Pea Farm" down by Sugarland. It was a "CHOICE ASSIGNMENT" for an inmate to be sent there. They were outside in the fields and tending cattle, a dairy, etc. rather that in a 6X12 or whatever!! They produced enough produce, milk products, eggs, and meat to not only feed the inmates of Harris County, but for most of the STATE!!! There were other operations throughout the State that were similar and the Penal system was somewhat self supporting UNTIL THE ACLU got involved and this activity was deemed CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT!!!

Mind you that the inmates enjoyed the "limited freedom" granted to them to work in the fields etc. but the greater LIBERAL contingent thought that we should just pay for their incarcerations and not "enslave them to support themselves"!!!

This whole thing just really pisses me off!!!

Later
Martin

Utah Bob · 10-08-2011, 09:31

Luke. Fetch my rifle.

Sten · 10-08-2011, 10:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eagle5US

I wouldn't consider either of these cases to be conscripted farm labor.

You have one group who sits on their ass all day while we feed and house them (inmates) and we have another group who sits on their ass all day while we feed, house AND PAY them (welfare recipients)

Heaven forbid we actually ask people to WORK.

I am simply saying that if it is not a choice then we would not get them to lift a finger without whips and threatening to to put them in the preverbal "box". Further without constant close supervision we would not get them them actually work at anything but destroying and sabotage what they were press ganged into producing. Migrant workers get the job done with minimal fuss because they want to do it for the offered pay.

The Texas inmate farm program and programs like it in Indiana (and all over) work because it offers a better alternative for the nonviolent low risk inmates who then choose to do it as a privilege, that privilege can be stripped for failing to meet requirements.

It might feel good to do something like this but in reality it is destined to fail as miserably as any liberal program. It is a hugely complicated issue that due to unforeseen complications would cause this simple idea to bloat into some horrible governmental program with buses, drivers, security, managers, case workers buildings, executive directors...

For the record I feel that all entitlement programs need to be fixed. I think that all Americans who can go to work, should go to work. I think we should protect the least among us from all forms of abuse. And I have no idea how to do this one, I think the "playing field" should be a level as possible. I know that greed is bad but it is here to stay and like gravity a force of nature so... Lastly I know that girls don't like boys, they like money and cars.

Dusty · 10-08-2011, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sten

I have no idea how to do this one, I think the "playing field" should be a level as possible.

Sounds like something Harry Reid, Jesse Jackass Jackson or Max Thing Waters would say.

Oldrotorhead · 10-08-2011, 10:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sten

Ask the soviets how conscripted farm labor worked out for them.

This would not be conscripted labor. The inmates are paid for labor now and this would be a way for them to add to their commissary fund., keep in shape and get some fresh air.

Guy · 10-08-2011, 11:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ambush Master

Harris County, Texas used to have a "Pea Farm" down by Sugarland. It was a "CHOICE ASSIGNMENT" for an inmate to be sent there. They were outside in the fields and tending cattle, a dairy, etc. rather that in a 6X12 or whatever!! They produced enough produce, milk products, eggs, and meat to not only feed the inmates of Harris County, but for most of the STATE!!! There were other operations throughout the State that were similar and the Penal system was somewhat self supporting UNTIL THE ACLU got involved and this activity was deemed CRUEL AND UNUSUAL PUNISHMENT!!!

Mind you that the inmates enjoyed the "limited freedom" granted to them to work in the fields etc. but the greater LIBERAL contingent thought that we should just pay for their incarcerations and not "enslave them to support themselves"!!!

This whole thing just really pisses me off!!!

Later
Martin

God forbid IF, you'd have too work for food...I guess most of us not incarcerated get food for free...

"Pissed off about illegals working the fields...use inmates!"

Stay safe.

mojaveman · 10-08-2011, 15:06

It's an interesting idea but I wonder how easy it would be to get those type of people to do hard manual labor. Many of them were incarcerated in the first place because they tried to take the easy way and got caught.