None of the advantages

Via Seattle news, a builder of homeless cells has shut down, allegedly tossing another spanner in the “city” “government” alleged timeline for shelters. The “mayor” promised 1000 new units by the end of the year and so far has added about 75. Not bad for a politician, but way beyond incompetent for a human.

The article shows one of the units made by Pallet and an industrial-looking “village” of units. The article also mentions that a Pallet “village” elsewhere burned 25 units in a flash fire.

Since I’m fired up at the moment for obvious reasons, I looked up the materials. Pallet units are made of fiberglass resin composite. Glass itself is harder to melt than some metals, but resin can melt at 120 and burn at 200. It’s not hard at all to reach a local temp of 200! A match or (ahem) butane torch near the surface will do it. Even without external fires, reflected and focused sun can hit 200.

The “village” itself has all the disadvantages of prison and NONE of the advantages.

Disadvantages: Drab super-basic housing with no decorations or colors. Looks like an industrial warehouse yard. No incentive to make the unit look good, no chance to feel cozy.

First missing advantage: These units have only a bed, no bath. The “village” has several shared restrooms like outhouses. An ordinary prison cell has a sink and toilet so you can wash or poop when needed without dressing up and walking outside to a separate building where you can get drugs or get raped.

Second missing advantage: NO GUARDS. This means that drugs and crime will flourish and the more vulnerable people will be raped and assaulted.

Biggest missing advantage: No forced jobs or drug treatment. A properly run prison requires you to work. You have a chance to feel PROUD and gain a PURPOSE, even if you’re serving a long sentence and won’t be able to use the skill later.