NCJ Number
142158
Date Published
1990
Length
103 pages
Annotation
This report incorporates a futures study of the impact of jail industries on California corrections, a recommended strategic plan, and a transition management plan for jail industry programs.
Abstract
The inmate population in California State and county jails has increased by over 50 percent in the past 4 years and experts predict that there will be another 47-percent increase by the year 2000. In this futures study, five key trends were examined: the recognition of inmates' rights and responsibilities affecting corrections industries, the impact of restitutive sentencing on inmate work programs, competition for scarce private sector resources, the impact of the prison population on corrections' ability to house prisoners and modify behavior, and the prominence of rehabilitation as a corrections objective. Five probable events considered to be most critical included the role of private industry in corrections, the role of labor unions in working with jail industry programs, the contribution of special interest groups, court-ordered marketing constraints, and limitations on compensation. The strategic plan modeled here outlines steps for establishing a jail industries program, creating an interagency cooperative effort, developing community awareness and support, and preparing negotiation strategies to deal with key stakeholders. The transition plan focuses on the level of commitment, responsibility, and readiness for policy enactment of the key players, including the sheriff, county administrative officer, board of supervisors, and citizens. 3 references