Personally, I like the idea of using some felons -- those not doing "hard" time so to speak. It gives them a chance for redemption so to speak, gives them a skill, might change their lives around (has been known to work in the past) and gives our troops a chance to do their jobs. Remember, many in prison are kids who made a mistake and just didn't know how to work the system to get away with it or never had the opportunity to learn anything but crime. Not all are really "bad guys" per se. I wouldn't want them fighting, but to do some of the needed construction work, driving, etc., why not?

I know that one of my father's best aide de camp's was a young man who had been given the choice -- Army or jail. He took the Army. Like my father, he was a mustang (for those who don't know -- an enlisted man who goes through the ranks to become an officer as opposed to having the education to get the rank). Dad swore by this lieutenant.