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Working on databases from prison

(turso.tech)
849 points dvektor | 3 comments | 16 Jun 25 12:32 UTC | HN request time: 0.775s | source
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mlissner ◴[16 Jun 25 14:28 UTC] No.44289885[source]▶
Maine's remote work program is an incredibly promising development to prevent recidivism. The amazing thing about it is that it gives real jobs to prisoners that they can seamlessly continue after they get out of prison. Normally when you get out, it's impossible to get a job, and the clock is ticking. This leads to desperation, which leads to bad behavior.

There is a real risk of exploitation, but if it's properly managed, remote work for prisoners is one of the most hopeful things I've heard about the prison system. It gives people purpose while there and an avenue to success once they're out.

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dfxm12 ◴[16 Jun 25 14:52 UTC] No.44290150[source]▶
Do participants get paid a real wage?
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glommer ◴[16 Jun 25 14:57 UTC] No.44290225[source]▶
Preston was free to negotiate his pay with us, and we pay him a full salary. Just no health care benefits.
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dgacmu ◴[16 Jun 25 15:24 UTC] No.44290487[source]▶
Does he actually get the salary, or does the prison take huge overhead?
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glommer ◴[16 Jun 25 15:31 UTC] No.44290547[source]▶
they take an (actually very reasonable) cut, but he is free to take his salary.
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kgwxd ◴[16 Jun 25 15:37 UTC] No.44290606[source]▶
No cut is reasonable.
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esteth ◴[16 Jun 25 15:56 UTC] No.44290790[source]▶
Presumably the prison is providing the "office" where the person works from, the Internet connection, etc.
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1. lukan ◴[16 Jun 25 17:59 UTC] No.44291808[source]▶
Also food and accomodation ..
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2. snickerdoodle12 ◴[16 Jun 25 18:13 UTC] No.44291958[source]▶
1) How is this different from any other prisoner

2) They wouldn't have to if they didn't insist on locking him up

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3. lazyasciiart ◴[16 Jun 25 21:00 UTC] No.44293349[source]▶
It isn't different from any other prisoner. In many states you leave prison owing them back rent. Maine at least charges as a percentage of the prisoners income, rather than having them build debt.

https://www.npr.org/2022/03/04/1084452251/the-vast-majority-...

Maine: https://www.corrections1.com/finance-and-budgets/maine-lawma... "the state can deduct up to 20% of their income — 10% for room and board, which is sent to the state’s general fund, not the Department of Corrections , and up to 10% to cover transportation provided by the department. Since 2020, the state fund has collected a total of $2.4 million.