Many criminals are intelligent people with good heads for business and healthy appetites for risk

I once did some research into this whilst at university. Basically the criminal mindset is often very very close to an entrepreneurial one - if not the same. It comes down to value systems generally with the individual, although entrepreneurs are often found to bend or change the rules to suit themselves. For example Richard Branson, when he first started, ended up in trouble with the law as he exploited what an export-import system for records, ultimately ending up with a heavy fine, though no jail time.

Right, lets take violent criminals and place them in upper management. I can see it now:<p>"I used to be a drug dealer; now I'm your boss. Now get to work bitch before I cap, I mean, fire your ass!"<p>...<p>In all seriousness, I see a danger in using people who have a demonstrated disregard for the lives and property of others. At least with the current individuals we have reasonable doubt as to whether they would kill or steal to get their way. In highering ex-conns we know.

&#62; She is particularly interested in people who have already demonstrated these skills—for example by running a successful drug business or achieving a high rank in a gang.<p>That's what you list under "Extracurricular Activiites" on your Harvard application! ;-)

I think this is a great idea and I can relate. I was a wayward youth. I never did anything serious but I was constantly on the wrong side of the law and my success / failure rate was pretty impressive. Though it's not as bad anymore think I was just allergic to authority. I eventually turned my need for risk and self determination to mountaineering and entrepreneurship. A life of crime is very dynamic and intense. Quite similar to startup life. I can see this program being successful and I wish these gentlemen luck.<p>As for the moral dilemma people are concerned about, I don't think it's such a problem. My rebellion was much more rooted in an inability to walk lockstep through a life of following directions than a rotten soul. I tended toward and environment that I thrived in, one of raw risk and raw reward. A program that recognizes these folks and steers them away from the brink sounds like a really good idea. The only laws I've broken in the last 8 years have been speeding and running stop signs. And I refuse to ever give that up.

many people startoff in bad situations - may be hard to believe but not everyone gets pushed along the path of grad'ing from a good school. there is no excuse for hurting and stealing from others, but we must also recognize that the odds are so stacked against poor people that there options are very slim. poverty is a major problem in the US, currently the best solution the govt has come up with is build more prisons to house the poor when they get arrested in the projects.<p>according to pg, it all comes down to building something people want, many people in prison don't want to come back, and want to actually do something legit with their lives, building a business is the best way I know to change your life and make something of yourself. bravo. next step is too make sure they get a bit of tech skills with the biz classes.

YConbinator

Somebody's been watching too much "The Wire" ...

My main problem is that this is for people who got caught. If all criminals have something in common with entrepreneurs, then it seems logical to assume that this program isn't getting the cream of the crop (those who don't get caught). Though perhaps that group succeeds without any help or notoriety.

I've always been fairly impressed with organized crime's ability to locate new areas to exploit.<p>Then again, how much of an advantage is it to use "illegal leverage"? I'm sure Movable Type would have a larger install base if they could send goons to the doorsteps of those using Wordpress.

I want to know how she is managing to spend $3.2 million on just 39 prisioners ($82,051/prisioner).

It sounds like it could be a promising program, but my question is:<p>Why do you have to go to prison to be offered a chance like that?

The story about the drug-dealing gang in Freakonomics comes to mind.

This _really_ explains my previous boss.

has anyone read The Demolished Man? :)

yconfinorator