The Shelby County Correctional Facility used to be known as the Penal Farm. It was called that because it was a self sustaining facility worked by the inmates. It is no longer self sustaining. They men in that facility have cable tv, enough workout equipment to stay fit and quite the library. They receive three meals a day (not steak but hell, i eat fast food anyways). And best of all, they get all of this by being a criminal. I however, have worked my entire adult life and stayed honest and only recently got to a place where I could afford things like cable tv.
My idea of prison is not what we have now. Prisons should be self supporting and the inmates should be working. Instead of creating a lounging area for them, create an environment where they learn something that might help them out of prison. I don't care if it is farming, something mechanical, or whatever. Giving them a stay at the Ritz clearly isn't working so lets try something a little different.