Now that President Obama has spent half of our children's and grandchildren's life earnings on liberal programs and rewarding political allies, government needs some money-saving ideas. Ah-nold has threatened to release thousands of California's inmates from prison because of their especially awful budget crisis (is it a coincidence that the most leftist states are in deepest recession?), but he might not have to if he follows my prescription.
Simply put, you give inmates a choice. You can have a traditional sentence, or your sentence can be reduced by two-thirds if you agree to:
1) Solitary confinement with no visitors except family, clergy, medical and legal professionals;
2) Productive labor for eight hours a day at whatever task is assigned to you (this must be something that can be done within the prisoner's cell);
3) No media of any kind except reading materials that can be considered educational or spiritual; and
4) Excellent behavior.
What about exercise?
Millions have done aerobics in the few square feet in front of their TVs. Inmates can do the same, except without the TV. Not to mention push-ups, sit-ups, jump-rope, isometrics, and running in place.
It would be far cheaper to keep an inmate in "lockdown" all of the time. An inmate who accepts this offer wouldn't be able to intimidate or be intimidated by other inmates. He wouldn't be pumping himself up in the weight room to facilitate overpowering the guards during the next riot. Therefore the prison would need fewer guards. New prisons could be made smaller, especially since many inmates would leave 66% faster, so there would be fewer inmates. The prospect of solitary confinement keeps the incentive to avoid prison. And the fact that it's a choice made by the convict keeps the ACLU away.
