I was acting crazy in North America, and all the crazy people there took it seriously.

Chapter 76 I have extensive experience in managing slaves…

In the new century of America, some busybodies have compiled a "ranking of the most disgusting media statements," which has been widely praised by those who have suffered from them.

"Chicago's sweet air" is among the top of the list.

Upon closer inspection, it appears that the comments in this ranking either came from The Sun or Voice of Liberty.
Oh, that's alright!
This must be slander and jealousy from shameless peers!
Back to the present, Americans haven't yet become accustomed to being disgusted (numbed) by someone. When they hear the Voice of Freedom's passionate, even somewhat intoxicated, self-praise, they can't help but feel a sense of physical discomfort.

But even if you feel uncomfortable, you can't ignore it.

Chicago gangs are actively fighting crime?
Well, we've seen a lot of crazy things in Chicago, so we're used to it. Chicago's gangs are just that brazen; they've even taken on the US military and haven't really gotten hurt.

At least it's a good thing... right? Didn't you see that Chicagoans are genuinely cheering for the improved safety? At most, people will just laugh at how incompetent the Chicago police are, comparing them to the Canadian police.

But are Chicago gangsters about to own and operate private prisons?
I just can't get used to this!

This blatantly touches upon the core of state violence—the judicial and punitive system.

From the East Coast to the West Coast, the editorial pages of major newspapers were almost entirely filled with related topics, with the main focus of the criticism directed at the Chicago city government.

"Has the Chicago city government been taken over by gangs? Should the federal government send in the army to rescue the mayor of Chicago? Or should they execute the mayor who has already joined the gangs?"

"Let gangsters detain criminals? This is tantamount to encouraging gang crime and turning prisons into training grounds and resorts for gangsters."

"Chicago is sliding into a lawless abyss, a dark age where gangsters define law and order!"

The wave of criticism seemed overwhelming, but after reviewing comments from various media outlets, Logan discovered an interesting point—

It seems that the focus of the opposition is mainly on "gangs owning private prisons," rather than "private prisons" themselves?
Then I looked up the history of American prisons, and wow, I solved the case!
In many states in the United States, especially in the South, a widespread and “legal” malpractice has long existed in the government-run prison system: leasing prisoners to private companies as laborers.

For each day a prisoner worked, the private company paid the government half the normal wage of a free worker.

Compared to "private prisons," it's just one last step away—the private company that leases the prisoners owns and operates the prison facilities.

However, in 1905, President Theodore Roosevelt signed a law prohibiting the use of prison labor, and many states abandoned the prisoner leasing system.

Well, the main reason is actually that prisoner leasing has become unprofitable—capitalists not only directly exploit prisoners, but also use prisoner labor to exploit workers and suppress their wages. This has led to fierce conflicts between workers and prisoners, and has directly affected the production efficiency of prisoner factories.

Therefore, Logan saw in the newspaper that many sociologists "objectively" pointed out in their comments that privatization could indeed improve efficiency and reduce government spending, and that Chicago's attempt was "innovative in its direction," but that "the wrong entity was chosen to implement it."

That's easy.

The Mafia and Irish gangs seemed to back down and fall silent in the face of media attacks; meanwhile, a newly established, completely "independent" private company, "American Fox River Correctional Company," took over two prison projects that were originally intended to be invested in and built by the gangs.

—If you delve deeper into the shareholders of "Fox River Correctional Services," you'll find an Italian-American, an Irish-American, the governor's wife, and a relative of the Illinois House Speaker…

However, the Chicago city government could comfortably ignore public criticism and, with the prison completed on schedule, announced a long-term franchise agreement with Fox River Company, eagerly cramming prisoners that the city jail could not accommodate into the new company's prison.

Private prisons have been established, but feeding the prisoners has become a problem...

It's really not a problem!

Logan’s Victoria’s Secret lingerie company quickly outsourced some of its lingerie production to Fox River Industries. Victoria’s Secret has now become the largest single lingerie brand in the United States, and its production capacity is becoming increasingly strained. Logan rejected the garment factory manager’s suggestion to recruit more workers and handed over the new business to Fox River.

It doesn't matter who steps on the sewing machine! The prison's offer is even lower!
As the service provider and "advisor," Logan also needs to find a warden with extensive management experience for Fox River!
Arkham Academy has once again proven its worth. A burly white male student named Wade Berwick came to the academy to offer his services.

His eyes were sinister, and his tone was calm yet carried an undeniable confidence: "I come from Mississippi and have extensive experience managing plantation slaves..."

Logan was stunned when he received such a hardcore resume.

"Ahem, well, wasn't slavery abolished a long time ago?"

As is well known, the United States fought a civil war to abolish slavery, and in 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution was passed, which stated that slavery and forced labor shall not exist anywhere in the United States under the jurisdiction of the United States.

Wade Berwick gave him a peculiar look; "The Mississippi legislature didn't approve the abolition bill..."

In other words, was Mississippi still a slave state?

Goodness, Logan was speechless at this little-known fact.

Wade Berwick went on to explain his strengths, saying, “The Thirteenth Amendment states that slavery and forced labor must not exist, except as punishment for crimes committed by those convicted under the law.”

"So, sir, what your private prison needs most is an experienced slave owner, isn't it?"

That's right to say...

That's outrageous!

However, while the principle is sound, it shouldn't be stated so bluntly. After all, we are all civilized people and need to maintain decorum.

“Very good! I admire you, Mr. Slave Owner.”

Logan stroked his chin, a polite smile on his face. "Now, tell me your thoughts on running a private prison."

Wade Berwick bowed slightly and offered his three management strategies:
"First, cut all unnecessary expenses and reduce labor costs. Prison guards don't need to be civil servants; anyone who can wield a whip is fine. Prisoners don't need to be overfed; just enough to keep them from starving..."

"Second, maximize labor intensity. The fundamental purpose of operating a private prison is to maximize profits. Therefore, prisoners must work unconditionally during their incarceration. They must work more than 12 hours a day and must not be allowed a moment of leisure..."

"Third, extend the length of time prisoners are held as much as possible. Every additional prisoner, every extra day a prisoner spends, means more revenue for the prison..."

Wade Berwick suddenly looked regretful as he spoke, “Forced labor isn’t the only profitable model for prisons. In Mississippi, for female prisoners, especially Black female prisoners, selling their children born in prison is also a highly profitable business, simply by mixing them with male prisoners…”

"Ahem! Alright, you don't need to say anything more. Come to work tomorrow."

Logan, deeply impressed by the traditional arts of the American South, interrupted his hellish thoughts.

Let's be a little more "capitalist" here. After all, this is Chicago. Your American blue flag is a bit too "traditional"!

……

　Logan: That's a great American tradition!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)