NCJ Number
102116
Journal
University of Miami Law Review Volume: 40 Issue: 4 Dated: (May 1986) Pages: 903-911
Date Published
1986
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This address proposes the expanded use of prison industries to assist in rehabilitating inmates and reducing the amount of public funds required for prisons.
Abstract
In Minnesota, Control Data Corporation tested and trained 150 inmates to assemble computers in prison. Florida's Project Pride, begun in 1981, had by 1984 assumed control of all the State's prison industries, which include 22 types employing more than 1,800 inmates in half the State's institutions. Pride combines education, training, jobs, and postrelease job education, training, jobs, and postrelease job placement. In 1986, Pride expects to generate more than $40 million in sales with a profit of more than $2 million. Of the inmate payroll of $1.7 million, $1 million goes to the State annually to reduce prison costs to taxpayers. Federal Industries, Inc., conducts 75 manufacturing operations in 47 Federal prisons employing 9,000 inmates. Net earnings of $18 million have helped reduce taxpayer corrections costs. George Washington University's National Center for Innovations in Corrections has developed 21 concepts for prison industry projects that would link private employers with prison systems. One of the promising programs will involve Maryland State prison inmates in the manufacture of prefabricated housing components. Such programs will relieve the public cost for prisons and increase the chances that offenders will not recidivate after their release from prison. 1 footnote.