NCJ Number
113799
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 50 Issue: 6 Dated: (October 1988) Pages: 112,114,131
Date Published
1988
Length
3 pages
Annotation
Because inmates' primary goal is to get out of prison as soon as possible, a change from statutory sentencing to sentences contingent on repaying the crime's costs through normal wages earned in prison industries could reduce prison costs and facilitate inmate management.
Abstract
Likely candidates for participation in such a program would be those who have committed property crimes. The court would tally the total cost of the crime, including victim damages, police and court costs, and jail costs. Inmates assigned to the program would work on a piece-work basis. The private-sector manufacturer would be responsible for all production expenses, while the State would provide for security. Inmates would have personal checking accounts from which payments for crime costs could be made. Room and board expenses would be deducted directly from wages. Fines could be imposed for disciplinary violations and used to pay for recreational programs. Such a system would simplify inmate management because of the built-in incentives to work and the emphasis on inmate responsibility for day-to-day behavior. The effectiveness of such a project could be evaluated in terms of prison costs, institutional control, and recidivism rates. 2 references.