The Dallas Prostitution Program: Shaun Hautly

This sounds like a terrific idea. Taking what is a huge problem, and providing a real solution, not just a punishment. Because, looking back at the history of how this has been handled, the method of just arrest didn't seem to be working. So someone thought outside of the box, came up with an absurd solution, and implemented it. If that's not the American Dream, I don't know what is. Prostitution is not a dream job, but it's not like murder or stealing, either. This sounds like it could help.

Now, as an adolescent, I watched my fair share of HBO documentaries, and every once in a while, one would be about prostitutes. There is a very very big difference between a stripper and a prostitute, and many people miss that. Strippers strip by choice to make money. Lots of money. Many are students, single moms, or otherwise that strip for a few years to get out of debt or pay for school, and then move on. Prostitutes are a different breed. Many are forced into it, work for abusive pimps, would love to quit, and some are drugged against their will to keep them dependent on their pimp. They don't "hook" to get ahead for a few months, or as an alternative source of income. They hook because it's a lifestyle, and one that few (if any) CHOOSE.

According to a quick Google search, the average arrest costs $6,225. Tax payers pay that every time someone is arrested, booked, held overnight, whatever. Even if that's double, it still is expensive. Why not spend the extra few dollars to rehabilitate these women? If, in the study, 21 women have turned their lives around, then that's 21 people that won't need to be arrested again. 21 people that have broken from the cycle of oppression and downward spirals. 21x$6000=$126,000. That seems like it would cover a government-grade rehab program. So let's not get too upset that a chunk of our money has gone and changed lives, given 2nd chances, and made 21 people realize that America truly is made up of the Free, and people brave enough to help each other in the face of criticism. 

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