 |
| PUBLIC ENEMY? (not) |
The town of Florence is located about 60 miles southeast of Phoenix, and has a population of about 25,000. It's major industry is prisons ---- there are three state prisons here, and six other county, federal and private ones.
We pass through Florence often, since it is on the "back road" (remember—we don't do freeways if we can avoid them) between Phoenix and Tucson.
One unique feature in Florence is their "Prison Goods Store", in which they offer for sale items made by the prisoners. There are a number of "arty" items from paintings, metal sculptures, orgami paper creations, and more. (Think that the higher risk prisoners just get to make things that don't use sharp tools!)
A big seller is hay – seven different types – offered here. The hay is grown by the prisoners on prison land, cut and baled; and large stacks of bales are piled around the store for the local farmers to buy. Prisoners help load the hay on the customers trucks and/or trailers.
A big seller is hay – seven different types – offered here. The hay is grown by the prisoners on prison land, cut and baled; and large stacks of bales are piled around the store for the local farmers to buy. Prisoners help load the hay on the customers trucks and/or trailers.
Something the prisoners don't make are T-shirts. Nevertheless, Dean was tickled by the message on this one.
The other one he liked had the same representation of the prison building, and the words:
ARIZONA STATE PRISON ----- A GATED COMMUNITY
