Buffalo developer and Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino unveiled a controversial welfare reform plan Monday. Our Ryan Burgess tells us more about the proposal, which includes using former prisons as job training centers.

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino offered a welfare reform plan that includes using unused prisons as dorms to house welfare recipients while they receive job training.

"The goal is to provide people with the training, with the development assistance, with the support that they can get into the mode where they can be ready to occupy a fulfilling job in their lives," said Paladino.

The proposal is called the Dignity Corps, modeled after the Civilian Conservation Corps of the Great Depression Era. It would give any New Yorker on unemployment or welfare job training, which Paladino said might even include lessons on personal hygiene, if needed. He defended against critics who argued that part of the plan is insensitive or even degrading.

"My reference there was to, in a very general sense, to helping the personal development of individuals who are from dysfunctional experiences in the past that might need that help - one of many many things that they would be taught," said Paladino.

Paladino said the proposed dormitory style living, which would happen at former minimum security jails or unused colleges, would be voluntary. There, the unemployed would, theoretically, upgrade job skills needed to find a job. Paladino said he's still looking into the exact details of the plan.

"I don't have all the particular answers right now. This is not intended in any way an affront to any part of our society," said Paladino.

Paladino's Republican opponent, Rick Lazio, had no comment on the proposal.