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A comment on LA wildfires force thousands to evacuate, NASA JPL closed. Parent comment

Re:LA wildfires force thousands to evacuate, NASA JPL closed by s1artibartfast on Thursday January 09, 2025 @05:18PM (#42650417)
I think the means are ethical, as well as the ends.

At the end of the day, I dont think each of the things you said are true. I dont think there is wage competition, I dont think the state is setting sentences based on labor demands, and I dont think there is an impact to locations of habitation.

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Re:LA wildfires force thousands to evacuate, NASA JPL closed by mulmen on Thursday January 09, 2025 @05:30PM (#42650512)
Then that is the basis of our disagreement. I can’t consider the practice ethical given my understanding of economics, human nature, and history.

These two Wikipedia pages show examples of why I don’t think this practice is ethical.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penal_labor_in_the_United_St...

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Codes_(United_States)

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Re:LA wildfires force thousands to evacuate, NASA JPL closed by s1artibartfast on Thursday January 09, 2025 @05:53PM (#42650686)
As stated elsewhere, I think penal labor is just and moral in concept.

However, I do agree that the moral hazards are too great around combining it with for-profit prisons and corporations.

I think the one area where I would find private employment acceptable is work release programs at market rate, provided the pay goes to the prisoners instead of the state. I think these programs should be expanded, and could help with child support, victim restitution, and stability upon release.

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