By 1980, there were only 227 people in prison for every one thousand crimes. Corresponding to this decrease in incarceration rates is a very sharp increase in violent crime rates. Even as incarceration rates have fallen, prison costs have increased. Our prisons have been turned into public subsidized hotels. Prisoners have obtained the right to live better than many of America's hard working citizens.
Prisoners have exercise and weight rooms, cable TV, VCRs, and unlimited free phone calls.
Although it is illegal for people to receive food stamps or other welfare benefits while in prison, the GAO studied a handful of prisons in New York, California, Florida and Texas and found over 12,000 prisoners on food-stamp rolls. The House Agriculture Committee is considering new legislation to ensure that states drop prisoners from food-stamp rolls.