You know honestly, I've always wondered why prisons don't have a bunch of computers for retaining. I mean, if there's a chance of conspiracy a specific inmate shouldn't have access, but your run of the mill street thug would probably really benefit from learning Linux system administration, web site building, coding . . .. It would probably be a lot easier to find gainful employment in a high demand field and would help break the cycle. If they were allowed to work, the people with longer sentences could help break the cycle for their dependants as well.
I wonder why Hans Reiser doesn't take up filesystem work again ? He has plenty of time on his hands ...