Have Prisons Become Big Business?

There are 2.2 million people in prison in the USA as I type this. I went to prison in Okla-COMA for 20 months. I was guilty and I had to pay the price of my crime. Being there and not looking from a cops point of view, nor someone that hasn't done any time, the prison system is bad. It is not the answer. To warehouse people. I was in a min., prison. Mostly DWI, drugs and hot check writers. You can't expect anyone to come out as a new and improved person, it doesn't work that way. You are beaten down emotionally and mentally. Putting up with all the noise and lity. People screaming at each other and just total choas 24-7. People still ume that people get free education in prison.Your family has to pay for your college not the state.... dah... If you can't read or have your high school diploma - then you will before you get out. Thinking that this is going to make people hire ex - convicts. The stigma that our society puts on us is wrong. I didn't have a life of crime to fall back on when I got out. I have a college degree and can't find a decent job. It is one thing to punish people for their wrong doing. But, to ruin their life is not exceptable in my eyes. It takes more than a hot shower to get rid of - being held captivie. Eating food that is stamped on the box +FOR INMATE CONSUMPTION ONLY ! I can accept that I had to do time for my crime, but being labeled for the rest of my life is going to far! Society turns their head in regard to helping those in prison, until it happens to someone in their family it isn't going to matter to them one way or the other. Ignorance is bliss in this country.... shame isn't it?