Use of prison labor keeps cost down on Patriot Missiles

[JohnyCanuck]

Prisoners Help Build Patriot Missiles

This spring, the United Arab Emirates is expected to close a deal for $7 billion dollars’ worth of American arms. Nearly half of the cash will be spent on Patriot missiles, which cost as much as $5.9 million apiece.

But what makes those eye-popping sums even more shocking is that some of the workers manufacturing parts for those Patriot missiles are prisoners, earning as little as 23 cents an hour. (Credit Justin Rohrlich with the catch.)

The work is done by Unicor, previously known as Federal Prison Industries. It’s a government-owned corporation, established during the Depression, that employs about 20,000 inmates in 70 prisons to make everything from clothing to office furniture to solar panels to military electronics.

One of the company’s high-tech specialties: Patriot missile parts. “UNICOR/FPI supplies numerous electronic components and services for guided missiles, including the Patriot Advanced Capability (PAC-3) missile,” Unicor’s website explains. “We assemble and distribute the Intermediate Frequency Processor (IFP) for the PAC-3s seeker. The IFP receives and filters radio-frequency signals that guide the missile toward its target.”

http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2011/03/prisoners-help-build-patriot-missiles/

[Atypical Liberal]

1. One of those things that sounds great at face value

This is a classic example of one of those things that sounds great at face value, and so garners huge conservative support:

"Hey, let those freeloading prisoners work for their upkeep! And besides, they are learning a trade they can put to use when they get out of prison!"

The problem here is that we cannot and should not put a profit motive in taking care of prisoners. If you do that, you are just asking for abuse of prisoners in pursuit of the thirst for profit.

[ensho]

2. kick

nt