I get it that the prison towns want the population count, since state funding often flows on the basis of population. And since crime is higher in the large urban areas, that means the political clout of the already powerful cities becomes even greater. On the other hand, the place that is likely to need the additional funding is the town the prisoner came from--where there may be dependents without support, for example. The prisoners don't contribute much wear and tear on the roads, or use the schools much. And the prisoner's home town could probably use a little help after the damage the criminal did.
Hmm. If there's no home or other fixed address, then sure, stick the count in the prison town. Otherwise, put the count in their home town. It's probably too complicated to keep 2 census counts--one of nominal residents and one of voters.
I wonder which party that aligns me with? I should go read the rest of the story to find out. Democrat.
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Are prisons more likely to be in cities? In NH it is mixed. The largest county has its House of Correction in the largest city, and the State Prison is in the capital city. Most others are one or two towns out from the largest city.
Smaller towns, as far as I can tell. Not dinky--big enough to be able to house the staff--but not the big cities. I suppose they want lots of space, and that's pricy in urban areas. Some places seem to have had the population grow up around the town.
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