NCJ Number
30913
Date Published
1975
Length
23 pages
Annotation
A GROUP OF TALKS GIVEN AT THE 1974 AMERICAN CONGRESS OF CORRECTIONS, DEALING WITH A CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES FEASIBILITY STUDY, THE LEGAL ASPECTS OF THE STUDY, AND ITS MARKETING RESEARCH PHASE, IS PRESENTED.
Abstract
THE GOAL OF CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES IS NOT ONLY TO REDUCE THE COST OF INCARCERATION, BUT ALSO TO PRODUCE A LAW-ABIDING, TAXPAYING CITIZEN UPON RELEASE. IT IS EXPECTED THAT IF INMATES ARE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO EARN FAIR WAGES WHILE CONFINED, THEY LATER WILL BE ABLE TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUPPORT OF THEMSELVES AND THEIR DEPENDENTS, PAY TAXES, AND POSSIBLY MAKE RESTITUTION FOR THEIR CRIMES. HOWEVER, CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES TYPICALLY HAVE A RAPID TURNOVER OF THEIR WORK FORCE, WITH LITTLE INCENTIVE FOR QUALITY PERFORMANCE, AND GENERALLY CANNOT USE THE MOST EFFECTIVE AND EFFICIENT PRODUCTION METHODS. THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS HAS OBTAINED A LEAA GRANT FOR A 'CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES FEASIBILITY STUDY.' THE PROJECT'S GOAL IS TO DEVELOP DETAILED IMPLEMENTATION PLANS FOR CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES THAT WILL PROVIDE INMATES WITH FAIR WAGES FOR THEIR WORK; ON-THE-JOB EXPERIENCE IN A MODERN, EFFICIENT INDUSTRIAL OR SERVICE OPERATION; AND MEANINGFUL VOCATIONAL TRAINING. THE PROJECT DIRECTORS VIEW IT FROM AN ECONOMIC STANDPOINT AND BELIEVE THAT REHABILITATION WILL BE A NATURAL BYPRODUCT. THE STUDY IS FIRST CONCERNED WITH FINDING THE MOST FEASIBLE APPROACH, WHETHER THROUGH EXISTING CORRECTIONAL INDUSTRIES OR THROUGH JOINT VENTURES WITH PRIVATE INDUSTRY. LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS WHICH MUST BE RESEARCHED INCLUDE AN ANALYSIS OF EXISTING REGULATIONS REGARDING THE SALE AND MANUFACTURE OF PRISON-MADE GOODS AND DRAFTING REGULATIONS TO EASE SOME OF THE EXISTING RESTRICTIONS. OTHER QUESTIONS WHICH ARISE CONCERN INMATE MEMBERSHIP IN UNIONS, ELIGIBILITY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION, AND THE LEGALITY OF REQUIRING VICTIM RESTITUTION OUT OF WAGES. A NUMBER OF FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS EXIST WHICH LIMIT THE INTERSTATE TRANSPORTATION AND SALE OF PRISON-MADE GOODS; IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THEY MUST BE PURCHASED AND DISTRIBUTED THROUGH STATE AGENCIES. THESE RESTRICTIONS HAVE RESULTED IN A SEVERELY LIMITED MARKET FOR THE GOODS AND MUST BE CHANGED IF INMATES ARE TO BE PAID A COMPETITIVE WAGE, HELP DEFRAY THE COSTS OF INCARCERATION, AND MAKE RESTITUTION TO THEIR VICTIMS. THE CONTRACTOR SELECTED TO CONDUCT THE STUDY BELIEVES THAT THE PROJECT CAN WORK BEST THROUGH PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND RECOMMENDS A SYSTEM OF INCENTIVES TO ENCOURAGE LOCAL INDUSTRIAL PARTICIPATION. AN IMPLEMENTATION PLAN IS BRIEFLY OUTLINED; IT WOULD INCLUDE INFORMATION AND EDUCATION ABOUT THE PROJECT AND A PILOT OPERATION. THE EXPECTED BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAMS TO THE INMATES, COMMUNITY, PARTICIPATING INDUSTRIES AND DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS ARE ALSO SUMMARIZED. (VDA)