On the earlier statement about ROI on money spent housing inmates, one needs only refer to the Texas criminal justice system prior to the early 80's when it was "reformed" by William Wayne Justice (the case was decided in 1979 but "reforms" were not completed until 1986). Prior to these reforms, prisoners raised food, made marketable products, even raised the horses used for mounted patrol. During those days, it cost Texas taxpayers approximately $0.00 to house an inmate. Now more is spent on an inmate for a year than the average family income of Texas residents.
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