I recently read an article published on an online news site saying that two Southeast Lower 48 companies that make military uniforms are laying off thousands of workers as the government looks to give the work to the federal prison system's inmates.

I wonder how many jobs could be created in this nation and in Alaska if law-abiding citizens made license plates and whatever else that is manufactured in the prisons instead of criminals. Who says crime does not pay.

-- Michael J. Donnelly

Anchorage