As I've said before, I grew up in northern New Hampshire -- specifically, Haverhill, New Hampshire, the Grafton county seat. The main perq of this was we got to host the Grafton County Jail. It was a local landmark, and every couple of years there'd be a little excitement when another prisoner would escape. When I was in Driver's Ed, I asked the instructor if I'd get extra points if I hit an escapee.
To economize, though, the County consolidated a few features into that one site. Attached to the Grafton County Jail is the Grafton County Nursing Home, and around the Jail is the Grafton County Farm.
Two years ago, officials got the bright idea to raise some money for the prison by opening a farm stand. And because they didn't want to gouge shoppers, they priced their produce low -- real low. So low, in fact, that they were undercutting other farmstands in the area. Low enough to be below cost, and putting a couple of those other farmstands out of business.
It's kinda like how China is getting such a large portion of our manufacturing base. Labor over there is dirt cheap -- and in many cases, they are using prison labor, too.
I haven't been back to that neck of the woods in about a decade, and I don't really miss it. But it's nice to see the home-town folks are still on the cutting edge of economic trends.
Permalink | Linking Blogs | Sphere: Related Content | Digg this! | FARK It!
Filed under:
Business
Comments (6)
I've started to use a finan... (Below threshold)1. Posted by Mike D | May 3, 2005 8:38 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I've started to use a financial advisor to manage my investments and the one thing I've told him is to avoid anything China related. I'll be damned if I give them one red cent.
1. Posted by Mike D | May 3, 2005 8:38 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 3, 2005 20:38
2. Posted by Faith+1 | May 3, 2005 8:53 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Careful Walmart doesn't catch wind of this cheap, prisoner labor force. Once they get a taste of a Super Walmart and Low Security Prison Emporium they may put other jails out of business. Course they won't be keeping shop-lifters there...
2. Posted by Faith+1 | May 3, 2005 8:53 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 3, 2005 20:53
3. Posted by mantis | May 4, 2005 2:06 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I've started to use a financial advisor to manage my investments and the one thing I've told him is to avoid anything China related. I'll be damned if I give them one red cent.
Well, Mike, you better also stop buying nearly anything at Wal-Mart or Target, most manufactured goods, almost any type of car, foreign or domestic, many brands of computer, as well as clothing brands while you're at it.
3. Posted by mantis | May 4, 2005 2:06 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 4, 2005 02:06
4. Posted by FloridaOyster | May 4, 2005 8:12 AM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
It's hard to escape it. Why China is still on the Most Favored Nation list here is beyond me. Especially after all the spying and giving away of secrets to them during the last administration. It pisses me off.
Hell, I won't even buy French wine. And believe me, THAT hurts.
4. Posted by FloridaOyster | May 4, 2005 8:12 AM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 4, 2005 08:12
5. Posted by LibraryLady | May 4, 2005 6:39 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
When my husband was stationed at Fort Leavenworth, KS. the prisoners had a huge farm and came into the housing area with the freshest vegetables and fruits for sale. They were way below grocery store prices and were literally right off the vine.
Prisoners also refinished furniture, framed pictures, ran a fabulous greenhouse and bagged groceries at the commissary.
5. Posted by LibraryLady | May 4, 2005 6:39 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on May 4, 2005 18:39
6. Posted by Anonymous | December 30, 2005 2:15 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
I just found your site, and since I hammered the Grafton County Commissioners for their horrendous decision to rape the taxpayers of more tax dollars, and all the while they continue to put the farmers into a spot where they can't make any money. It is not the government's role to be in business for profit, per the Small Business Acts, and the US Code also tells us that government shall not impair the private businesses from earning a living in any way. These are laws that Commissioner Burton (sorry excuse for a leader) feels are not laws he has to respect or obey. His political objectives go beyond the low income farmers, don't you know - he needs to campaign 365 days a year, and obviously targets the senior citizens. They can't see the act going on, so - after all the ruckus about Burton and the sex offender that worked for him (or was it play), one can only hope the knowledgeable votors will win out and VOTE HIM OUT. Perhaps with him out of the way, the Grafton County citizens can regain control over their government - you know, the control they never should have given away in the first place!
6. Posted by Anonymous | December 30, 2005 2:15 PM |
Score: 0 (0 votes cast)
Posted on December 30, 2005 14:15