Letters: Slavery? Hardly. Prisoners are fortunate to have work

Does the “D” alongside Rep. Joe Neal’s name stand for “Dumb” or “Desperate” (“Why SC’s prison-labor programs are controversial,” Sept. 15)?

Prisoners are in prison because they were convicted of a crime. They can sit in their cells bored to tears, or they can volunteer to work. The wages they earn are in addition to room and board; this beats being bored.

Work is a privilege, not a punishment. It is voluntary; it is not slavery. Recommended viewing: “The Shawshank Redemption” or any old George Raft prison movie.

This story was originally published October 14, 2015 at 4:33 PM.