When i used to service computers in the Massachusetts jail systems, it was a moment of shock to me.
I saw people watching TV, playing guitar and doing other classroom-related things.
When i was talking to the warden after being escorted to the "IT area" and after i told him where i'm from originally i said 'this place looks like a hotel'.
Where i come from, the purpose of the jail is to scare you enough so you don't ever want to come back!
But here, you actually want to come back.
And he said - Yes, this is what a lot of people do. They do a misdemeanor so they come back to jail. My eyes were as wide and big as an owl when i heard that.
We also spend about 40k a year per prisoner - he said (these were 2007 prices) . A lot of people even get degrees while they're in jail - he said.
After he saw the shock in my face he said - look i know what a Russian prison is like so i know where you're coming from.
I'm originally from England - he said - and i've been working in jails in Europe too and this place
is like a hotel.
