Prisoners need meaningful work
Prisoners in state penitentiaries should work. Idleness is not healthy, nor does it prepare an inmate to live a law-abiding life outside prison walls. On the Nov. 6 election ballot, this page supports Senate Joint Resolution 8212, which would allow the state to contract with private employers to offer prisoners work.
The state had such programs for many years, and they helped a lot of prisoners repay debts and learn the skills and habits needed to live law-abiding lives. These programs were banned in 2004 by the Washington Supreme Court, which ruled that they violated the state constitution. We believe that on this point the constitution is wrong, and ought to be changed. That is what SJR 8212 does. The argument against private contracting is that it exploits labor. But under the previous state program, employers had to pay a market wage. The prisoner didn’t receive all that wage, because some was deducted for taxes, room and board, victim restitution and, sometimes, child support. But the company had to pay it. That was the rule, and it should be again.
In the Voters Pamphlet, opponents argue that SJR 8212 doesn’t specify these rules, and therefore people should vote against it. But 8212 is an amendment of the constitution, not a statute. The details will come later.
The opponents say it’s fine for inmates to work as long as it’s in a program run by the state, such as stamping license plates. But inmates need real, meaningful work. It is in their interest - and the public’s. Vote for SJR 8212.