Our nation spends over $65 billion annually on corrections. The increasing privatization of our corrections system, including juvenile detention facilities, provides troubling incentives to maintain the status quo of our justice system.
http://www.childrensdefense.org/...
FYI Diary. This issue doesn't get much news coverage; however, it is important to be aware of this trend especially in these difficult economic times.
Onshore Manufacturing - How prisons are keeping manufacturing and service businesses alive and well IN PRISONS in the USA. For the first time in the nation’s history, more than one in 100 (1%+) American adults is behind bars, according to a new report. I was surprised to learn that most government agencies and many non-profit businesses use prison labor to do their printing. So, that is where all those large print shops have gone!
http://www.nytimes.com/...
You may be shocked to learn what your prisoners are making in your area. I was.
Meanwhile, onshoring manufacturing/services IN prisons means that millions of Americans don't have those same jobs available in their communities.
If you are appalled by Job Off Shoring, then you can now add Job On Shoring to your list of frustrations.
The following lists the websites for prison businesses being run by State prisons. Not all states are listed.
I know, it's good to train the prisoners; however, is it good for them to be doing jobs that used to belong to the now unemployed?
Prison Labor - Onshore Jobs
Another brainstorm by Corporations to find cheap labor?
Prison industries shackle private-sector employers
http://findarticles.com/...
So, if you lose your job maybe you can steal a loaf of bread and go to jail to find work, a warm bed, and three massively mediocre meals prepared by prisoners at one of the new food production plants being added to prison businesses.
1979 – The Jail Doors Open for Business Carter President – Democratic Majority
http://www.ncjrs.gov/...
Workin' for the Man - Captive Labor is fueled by the War on Drugs
Correctional Industries Association was formed to promote the establishment, development, and improvement of Correctional Industries' programs and a closer understanding and relationship between correctional industries and the general public, private industry, organized labor and other interested parties.
http://www.november.org/...
1996 article
http://wjcohen.home.mindspring.com/...
Alaska Correctional Industries – Mfg. Prison Uniforms
http://www.alaskaci.com/...
Alabama Correctional Industries – Non-Resident Construction
http://center.spoke.com/...
Maine
With average program revenues exceeding 1.5 million annually, Industries is primarily a self-funded operation and has been described by Washington D.C. consultants as “Unique to the Nation”. This highly regulated program enables participating prisoners to earn money which goes toward reimbursing the state for their room and board expenses, as well as paying victim restitution and child support.
Our Industries Programs include: _Woodshop--MSP, MCC, CCFGarments-- MCC, DCF_Re-upholstery--MCC_Embroidery--MCC_License Plates--BCF_Wood Harvesting--CCF_Upholstery--MSP_Engraving--MSP
http://maine.gov/...
New Hampshire Correctional Industries
- List of State Run Prison Businesses
Corrections Creations
Farm Shop
Furniture Shop
Information Technology
Print Shop
Sign Shop
Wood Shop
The kinds of products you might find are:
Wooden furniture, Wooden game boards, Beaded necklaces, Quilts, Paintings, and other artwork, Porcelain sculptures, Small storage bins, Upholstered furniture, Wooden toys, Hand made clocks, Serving bowls, Leather products like wallets or purses, Lots of other novelties !
http://www.nh.gov/...
Massachusetts Correctional Industries:
http://masscor.us/...
Rhode Island
http://www.doc.ri.gov/...
Connecticutt
http://www.ct.gov/...
New York
http://www.docs.state.ny.us/...
New Jersey
http://www.accessdmv.net/...
Vermont
http://www.vowp.com/
Pennsylvania
As the pioneer in prison labor across the nation, the State of Pennsylvania has much to tell about teaching inmates to work.
http://www.pci.state.pa.us/...
Maryland
Braille Products, too.
http://dpscs.md.gov/...
North Carolina – Partners with Correction Enterprises
http://correctionenterprises.com/
South Carolina
Prison Industries is a revenue-generated program of the South Carolina Department of Corrections. As such, PI operates like a business and all income is derived from the sale of its products and services. Profits are reinvested to improve PI and the Department of Corrections.
PI is certified by the Justice Department to enter into contracts with private sector companies and manufacture products for interstate shipment under the Prison Industries Enhancement (PIE) program. Inmates working in the PIE program receive prevailing wages for their labor. As with any job, federal and state taxes are deducted from their checks along with deductions for the inmate’s room and board and the state Victim Compensation Fund. Additional deductions are made for family support and remaining money is placed in a trust for the inmate to receive upon release.
http://www.scprisonindustries.com/...
Georgia
http://www.gci-ga.com/
Florida – Private, Outsourced Prison Industry
After several tumultuous years of ill-advised corporate restructuring and failed business
ventures, the private sector company that operates Florida’s prison industries program is back
on track. Under a new Board of Directors and new management, Prison Rehabilitative
Industries and Diversified Enterprises (PRIDE) has made significant strides in recovering from
financial losses that had resulted in an accumulation of debt and core asset depletion. In 2005,
the company achieved $72 million in sales and generated $6 million net income, the most in
dollars and as a percentage of sales in its 24-year history.
http://www.floridataxwatch.org/...
Alabama
Private industry on prison grounds, expanding the sale of prisoner-made goods could double corrections' business profits
Alabama's prison industries, a $15 million-a-year business, may more than double in size if legislation soon to be introduced in Montgomery is approved.
One bill being written for the Department of Corrections would allow products produced by inmates working for 30 to 60 cents an hour - items ranging from office furniture to mattresses - to be sold to government employees and nonprofit groups. Current law limits sales to state and local governments and to schools, to limit competition with the private sector.
http://sentencingcommission.alacourt...
Indiana
A captive work force
$40M prison work program helps inmates, businesses
http://www.ibj.com/...
Texas Correctional Industries:
Lockers, Truck beds, Tire Retreading,
Soaps/Detergents, Brushes/Brooms, Custom Printing
http://www.tci.tdcj.state.tx.us/
Utah prisoners build homes
http://www.mefeedia.com/...
Utah Correctional Industries - Lots of OnShore Businesses in Utah Prisons. Utah seems to have one of the most far reaching OnShore manufacturing and services industry in the nation. It is a wonder there are any jobs in the private sector left!
Asbestos Abatement
Asphalt Crack Seal
Clothing & Uniforms
Commissary Services
Construction
Data Services
Embroidery Services
Furniture
License Plates
Meat Processing
Milk & Beverage Processing
Moving Services
Office Innovations
Printing Services
REACH
Roofing Services
Seating & Upholstery
Signage
Textiles
Wild Horse Program
http://uci.utah.gov/...
http://www.cr.ex.state.ut.us/...
My personal favorite, REACH. Utah entrepreneurs and developers can hire Utah Prison Services to rehab foreclosed homes. All to help the poor, of course. Question: How many poor will qualify for a mortgage?
UCI REACH Program
REACH is an acronym representing REhabilitation thru Affordable Community Housing. The U.C.I. REACH Program's Mission offers a safe and secure setting to instruct inmates in residential construction, and to provide affordable housing to the community.
Qualified inmates are selected from graduates of the Salt Lake Community College and are given training in a working environment at our new Draper site facility. Inside trades include framing, roofing, sheetrock work, electrical, plumbing, painting, siding, rough and finish carpentry, flooring, and cabinet installation. Our outside crews are trained to fully prepare the site, for excavation, cement work, setting of homes, framing, roofing, siding, landscaping, and most importantly to prepare a final punch list and follow through with final finishing touches, before the tenant takes residence.
The REACH program works closely with several housing organizations throughout the State of Utah, including Utah Housing Authority, Habitat for Humanity, Six County Association of Governments, and the Community Development Association of Utah. In cooperation with the clientele, REACH generates custom designs and blue prints with the help of an inmate design team. The team consists of a project manager and drafters that work closely with experienced staff to ensure excellent customer service and quality of product. REACH strives to build to the highest standards of excellence.
http://uci.utah.gov/...
Good Grief! Of course it is nice that prisoners have something to do; however, with unemployment rates rising, is it fair for prisons to take any jobs from the private sector?