NY candidate: Prison dorms for welfare recipients

[Peikko 1,575]

Put them in the prison dorms. Two year program including counseling. Put ankle bracelets on them after a 90 day dry out period. Match their work skills with an employer that only has to pay minimum wage which 80% goes to the expenses to pay for the program.

I don't have a problem with that type of an idea as long as the program is properly managed - although one would have to be careful with insisting they only make minimum wage - I know what your intention is with that, I think, but not all drug addicts were previously illiterate bums, with one size fits all solutions you have to tread carefully.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

I don't have a problem with that type of an idea as long as the program is properly managed - although one would have to be careful with insisting they only make minimum wage - I know what your intention is with that, I think, but not all drug addicts were previously illiterate bums, with one size fits all solutions you have to tread carefully.

The minimum wage thing is a way of making them more attractive to employers. Remember this is somewhat of a punishment.

[Peikko 1,575]

The minimum wage thing is a way of making them more attractive to employers. Remember this is somewhat of a punishment.

That's what I thought, but the assumption with that is that all addicts are equal - they really aren't even addicts on welfare. Somewhat of a punishment? I thought the point was to try to give addicts a proper opportunity to change their life - not all addicts will be able to manage that, and those that can't will always need to be supervised. I liked that idea I read about the alcoholic homeless in Holland or some such place - the focus was less on trying to rehabilitate them and more on managing them in the best condition that could be hoped for. In that way, the anti-social behaviour and the costs of that behaviour were virtually eliminated even though they were not 'cured'. For some people that is going to be the best that can be hoped for.

[Pinocchio Liberal 268]

That's what I thought, but the assumption with that is that all addicts are equal - they really aren't even addicts on welfare. Somewhat of a punishment? I thought the point was to try to give addicts a proper opportunity to change their life - not all addicts will be able to manage that, and those that can't will always need to be supervised. I liked that idea I read about the alcoholic homeless in Holland or some such place - the focus was less on trying to rehabilitate them and more on managing them in the best condition that could be hoped for. In that way, the anti-social behaviour and the costs of that behaviour were virtually eliminated even though they were not 'cured'. For some people that is going to be the best that can be hoped for.

I should have clarified. Anyone that is sentenced to this program through the courts would I guess be seen as punishment. Nothing is 100% as far as a cure goes but after some years of refinement I believe you could get a pretty good success rate.

[Peikko 1,575]

I should have clarified. Anyone that is sentenced to this program through the courts would I guess be seen as punishment. Nothing is 100% as far as a cure goes but after some years of refinement I believe you could get a pretty good success rate.

Ah, I see the misunderstanding, my reference point was that the programs in this thread were not for offenders (people who have broken a specific law) but recipients of welfare. I am not sure that it is safe to assume that all addicts are also criminals - at least legally - and that as such they would end up in such a program. Certainly however if one has broken a law and is found to be an addict, being sentenced to a program such as the one you proposed is an excellent idea.

[slim 1,525]

the "hood" scares me

The "hood" shouldn't scare you. It's not like what you see on TV.

It's no different than any other place. Treat folks with respect and you'll be treated equally.

requiring work for benefits is not the solution, for practical reasons, one of which I outlined.

But your outline doesn't cover why young (especially men) couldn't benefit from this program. It could work for some.

if there are not enough jobs available,

Availability of jobs has nothing to do with welfare.

marginalizing them in the hope they just go away will not reduce the types of problems that are down to the behaviour of addicts, it might even increase them.

There is no "good answer" to this because we as a society are not willing to do what it takes to stop drug abuse.

Certainly however if one has broken a law and is found to be an addict, being sentenced to a program such as the one you proposed is an excellent idea.

But then what happens afterward when they have to return home?

[mawilson 2,133]

Demanding the poor work for welfare is a dodgy issue, for lots of reasons.

Why? No-one should get anything for free if they are able to work.

[mawilson 2,133]

I do most of my errands on a bicycle.

I'm sorry. Just hang in there, everything will be ok. Work hard and some day you will be able to afford a used car.

[^_^ 5,021]

I'm sorry. Just hang in there, everything will be ok. Work hard and some day you will be able to afford a used car.

lucky for you being a total d1ck isn't against tos!

[slim 1,525]

lucky for you being a total d1ck isn't against tos!

It depends on who is being a total d1ck and to whom the total d1ckedness is addressed.