Karen Palasek’s Free Market Minute correctly tags the “prisons are good for the economy” claim as the old “Broken Window” ploy. The comparison here, though, doesn’t present as much contrast as it seems:
? Apparently crime can pay pretty well for some people ($12 million annual payroll for the prison alone), between the 400 anticipated new jobs, and the opportunity as an inmate to be cared for at the highest level that correctional services can offer, if projections are to be believed. Not only is the site being promoted as a jobs engine, it will arguably be better equipped than many North Carolina community colleges. Unlike the community colleges, however, it’s completely free for inmate/enrollees.
Why?? Because at least one bill in this legislative session actually would have brought the prisons and the community colleges together, to?some extent, i.e.:
Every inmate who has not obtained a high school diploma or general education certificate shall participate in a general education development (GED) program. ? The Department [of Corrections] shall make use of resources available through the North Carolina Community College System to provide inmates with the education and training mandated by this section.
