Lately it seems the prisoners have more rights than the law abiding citizens. I know this as factual since my cousin is head macho in the prison system. The things prisoners have access to is ridiculous, they are treated better than some of us.
Big deal if they can't go anywhere...lots of handicapped or sick people never get to go out either.
As for hard times and economic changes making people do things out of desperation, I won't buy into that one. You don't rely on blaming the system for your troubles, you get off your butt and fix things.
Bad enough we are supporting our prisoners in grand style, no need to add insult to injury.
I feel if you commit the deed you pay for it . Fair is fair. Just because you are short of money or lose a job doesn't give you the right to take it out on society by committing crimes.