Camper cabins

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

Nice article in the paper today about the camper cabins in the state parks. I didn't realize they were made by inmates. Glad to hear the state is going be installing more of them in the future.

[icehousebob]

The South Dakota inmates have been building them for their parks for years. Cute little cabins. They also have them building pre-fab homes for low income people. They made a bunch for one town that got trashed by a tornado awhile back. As for the cabins, they have bunk beds and you're not allowed to cook inside, but they have a covered porch out front to set up your stove. They're often booked up solid. The inmates are learning skills and not just sitting in their cells. And what they're building is not competing with the private businesses out there.

[Redlantern]

Why isn't it competing with private business? Does the state not have anyone bid on this? Hate to get political about it, especially in a camping forum, but I think this stinks. Lots of people out of work and the state is putting inmates to work?

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

It beats paying all their expenses with no return on the money spent to keep them locked up. The job would just get outsourced out of state anyway.

I don't care how we get them. I just know that I'm grateful for them and look forward to the state adding more.

[solbes]

Sounds like a pretty good idea to me. Why not get a return on our expenses, and something that can be enjoyed by all. Beats paying the cable and entertainment bill for our inmates (although I assume that continues as well).

[Redlantern]

I agree with it, to a point. I get frustrated that they are taking a job away from someone who hasn't neccesarily broken the law, though. I know a lot of unemployed carpenters that'd be happy to make a living building camper cabins.

I guess, if I was to say they should grow their own food, then that would be taking work away from the farmers. If I were to say just don't get incarcerated, then that'd be taking work away from the prison guards. So maybe having people in jail is good for our economy and our natural resources.

Hope some of you see sarcasm in here (and irony).

[jeffreyd]

we have a few here in az too at the state parks but they have closed the state parks due to budget reasons so not much use going on. hopefully they will reopen

[deerminator]

The state never would have put anyone othe than the inmates to work to build them, and if they had, taxes would have been raised on the "richest minnesotans" to do so, especially those who own small construction and carpentry businesses that fit that category. Back to the cabins, they are very nice inside and a great idea!

[reinhard1]

they are very nice for those that dont like to tent. but if you want one i would plan ealy on reservations thus proving their popularity. good luck.

[bucketmouth64]

Stayed in one at kathio park near mille lacs. Great cabins well built and compfortable and inexpensive. Just make sure you reserve one in advance. I hope more are built for the other state parks.