America’s shipbuilding industry is facing a severe crisis, with China currently building ships 230 times faster than the United States and completing repairs 90% faster. To address this issue, a new proposal has been put forward to train inmates in maritime trades, such as welding and pipefitting, to rebuild the fleet.
A National Security Imperative
The United States cannot afford to remain complacent while adversaries rapidly outpace our naval capabilities. The maritime workforce shortage is a severe vulnerability, and traditional recruitment methods alone will not close the gap fast enough. By training inmates in high-demand maritime trades, we can rapidly field the labor necessary to rebuild our fleet.
This initiative promises profound public safety benefits, as well. By equipping incarcerated individuals with a skilled trade and long-term career options, we will dramatically reduce recidivism and crime in our communities. The prevailing wages earned by these workers will enable them to pay court-ordered restitution and child support, frequently leading to family reunification.
A Proven Concept
The concept of using inmates to rebuild our naval capabilities is not new. The United Kingdom has recently recognized that conventional labor markets cannot meet the urgent demands of modern defense manufacturing and is evaluating plans for prisoners to potentially help build warships to bolster British defenses.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
