More Problems at Private Prison |
The latest scandal concerns the labeling
of all new prisoners with an indelible number and barcode on the upper
left arm, as well as on the regulation uniform. The marking remains in
place for the duration of the prisoner's sentence and is only removed immediately
prior to their discharge. When the Inquirer telephoned the prison
for comment a Praetorian spokesman said, "we can't understand what all
the fuss is about. The label just gives us the means to keep a track
of the women and their record. If there's any trouble the guards
can swipe read the IDs and see who they're dealing with. It makes
escapees easier to recognize too - not that we have any." The label is
applied by a multi-nozzle high pressure ink jet that forces the dye just
below the surface of the skin making the label almost a tattoo. Prisoners
who have had the marking removed often complain of soreness for weeks afterwards
and many have some permanent trace remaining.
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Suzy Chou reveals her Praetorian brand |
"Krystal" (Sam Barr) for hire as a prison maid |
The cautious welcome given by civil liberties groups to Praetorian's Phased Release Program has turned sour in the light of new findings by The Inquirer. Touted as a scheme for the gradual reintegration of women prisoners nearing the end of their sentences back into society, the release program has been exposed as nothing more than a cheap labor source. Women nearing the end of their sentence have been delivered out to wealthy households to serve as maids and waitresses for fees of up to $1500 a day. Praetorian has even produced a catalogue of potential assignees, a copy of which has been received by The Inquirer. With questions raised on the dubious legality of the scheme, Praetorian have refused to comment, but an Inquirer reported managed to get an off duty security guard to admit, "it's a great way of earning money for the company. |