NCJ Number
156861
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 57 Issue: 5 Dated: (August 1995) Pages: 106,108- 110
Date Published
1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Correctional industries originated with the Auburn system in the 1800's and are currently cited by correctional administrators as one of the most important programs in offender management.
Abstract
Correctional industry managers must address the complex and often divergent goals of maintaining institutional security while focusing on costs, production, and customer satisfaction. These industries produce both products and service-related projects. The Prison Industry Enhancement (PIE) certification program is one of the most significant programs to affect corrections in the past decade and offers promise for the future. A crucial provision of PIE for certified agencies is exemption from Federal constraints placed on prison-made goods by permitting the sale of such goods in interstate commerce and to the Federal Government. PIE also mandates wages at or above the Federal minimum, thereby enabling offenders to pay taxes, support their families, and pay for room and board. All States and local government units authorized to administer correctional industry work programs are eligible to apply to the Bureau of Justice Assistance for certification. Thirty-four jurisdictions are certified, gross earnings of offenders have exceeded $44 million, and costs of incarceration have been reduced by more than $8.2 million. These programs employ more than 1,600 offenders. Photograph and 5 references