Inmate says prisons need changes
In recent years our country has been ravaged by outsourcing jobs due to cheaper labor and less intrusive labor laws. The state Department of Corrections, which has 28 prisons and 52,000 inmates, has also been caught up in this matrix of outsourcing. The most common selling point is if the county allows this prison to be built it will create jobs and stimulate the local economy. Right at this moment there is a proposal to build a prison in German Township, which politicians promise will create economical growth and relief for the residents and township.
However, job growth is a question. Let’s look at the facts. The prison will probably be built by an out-of-state contractor and the materials used to build the prison will also be purchased from out of state vendors.
Once the prison is operational most of the vendors who will be used to maintain the prisons needs will be outsourced to other states. A prime example is the 52,000 inmates, who use a phone system which costs them 500 percent more than the average call placed from your home.
What most residents do not know is that no local vendors or local contractors will be utilized. In Pennsylvania alone, we have manufacturers who could easily provide phone services cheaper. Another example is inmates spend over $500 million a year on snack foods purchased through each prison’s commissaries.
The irony is that we have companies like Tasty Kake, UTZ, Keystone Snacks, Frito-Lay, Hershey’s, Stouffer’s, and Snyder’s. Instead of using local vendors these contracts have been outsourced to one company in St. Louis, Mo. Their are countless examples of other illogical business practices.
The prison system alone out-sources hundreds of millions of dollars annually. This defeatist approach does nothing to benefit our communities. Ask any of the above mentioned company’s CEOs if they could use this $500 million or ask those out of work common folks if they would take a position at one of those companies.
Our state and federal government was taken on a course of action that is proving to be detrimental to our future. I firmly believe citizens should be more proactive and truly question the validity and true impact business will have if approved to enter our communities. This issue is not just a prison issue but a national dilemma.
I urge all residents to become active in the political process and be conscious of the fact that our elected officials work for the people.
Mid-term elections are upon us and before you cast your vote be aware of the candidate’s policies and be sure to vote for the person who is best capable of delivering us quality representation.
So before we cast our ballots be sure whatever elected official we choose will be casting their votes for the people and in the interest of the people.
Kendrick Pratt is serving a 10-20-year prison sentence for aggravated assault at the state prison in Frackville. He’s a native of Uniontown.