Editorial: Hard Time/Full-Time - WSFA.com: News Weather and Sports for Montgomery, AL.

Editorial: Hard Time/Full-Time

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By Collin R. Gaston - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Thursday, May 16 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-16 23:20:04 GMT
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;
    In my editorial on Tuesday I chided our legislators for being the last state to pass a no-brainer  bill legalizing home brewing.  Today I want to challenge them to be one of the first states to pass another no-brainer;

  • Tuesday, May 14 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-14 23:20:07 GMT
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 
    Kudos, or perhaps, cheers to the Alabama Legislature for passing HB9, the home brewing bill. Legalized home brewing may not be up there with education reform or prison funding, but it was overdue. 

  • Thursday, May 9 2013 7:20 PM EDT2013-05-09 23:20:06 GMT
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
    What was the old Pan-Am gas station at the corner of Bibb and Coosa is now no longer.  Last weekend that landmark was demolished with nothing remaining where it once stood other than the outline of a foundation. What
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MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

If your commute includes I-85 in the mornings I'm sure you've noticed men alongside the roadways picking up trash and road debris and thought to yourself "who would want to do that?"

Have you ever noticed how clean Riverwalk Stadium is when you take in a ballgame?  Riverwalk Stadium in conjunction with Riverfront facilities has a workforce that keeps it spotless by picking up trash, scrapping up bubble gum and scrubbing seats following games.  Interested in that job?

When was the last time you drove by or visited Garrett Coliseum?  If you've been by lately you would have noticed a fresh coat of paint on the inside and out.  This same workforce handled this not so small of a task. 

So who is this workforce raising their hands for jobs that are often are passed over as too menial – the answer might surprise you - low risk Alabama state prisoners and city inmates. 

Prison and jail these days isn't just about doing hard time. For many, it's about working full-time.  For as little at $15.00 a day per man cities, local businesses and organizations are benefitting from the labor of prisoners and city jail inmates. 

We applaud Alabama for allowing these programs to exist because it's a win-win scenario.  Men are given a chance to redeem themselves, earn back respectability and make our community a better place.  Communities, businesses and organizations win by receiving inexpensive labor on jobs that are hard to fill allowing them to keep costs down. 

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