In conversation with the Effingham, Illinois Habitat for Humanity construction supervisor last night, I learned of a cool use of state prisoners' time. Taylorsville inmates build the inner structure of Habitat for Humanity homes in the prison's woodshop, then send it in numbered pieces to be assembled. It takes just two hours to get it together on the work site.
Please, Illinois, don't cut funding to this part of the prison system. Let those who have harmed the community pay their restitution in labor. A family now has an affordable roof over their head, and inmates have begun learning skills that will help them in rehabilitation and reentry to society. This is a great example of good policy.
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