NCJ Number
132767
Journal
Insight Into Corrections Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 6-12
Date Published
1991
Length
7 pages
Annotation
The Illinois Correctional Industries (ICI) program has grown from $4 million sales in 1980 to a projected $34 million in 1991.
Abstract
According to the ICI superintendent, the 700-percent growth in sales over the past decade is the result of such factors as aggressive marketing techniques, innovative projects, improved products, and pride in workmanship by both inmate workers and employee supervisors. The reason for the turnaround in quality stems from an intensified focus on quality control and a "no excuses" approach to faulty merchandise. Twenty-six ICI operations currently employ nearly 1,300 inmates; 19 adult prisons offer 82 products and services. Illinois' Unified Code of Corrections authorizes the employment of inmates in useful work. Inmates can be trained and employed to produce materials for resale to authorized purchasers including all State and Federal agencies and not-for-profit corporations. Funds to pay inmates are generated from the profits made by the organization. Inmates are trained and paid to keep them busy and out of trouble, to allow them to save money for their release, and to help them develop self-esteem and job skills. Pay ranges from 50 cents an hour for workers at an ethanol plant to $3 an hour for asbestos removal workers. Much sought after higher-paying jobs are used as a tool by corrections officials to reinforce positive inmate behavior. The cost-effectiveness of ICI is documented, and future expansion efforts are described.