NCJ Number
59716
Date Published
1978
Length
16 pages
Annotation
THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS IS PROFILED IN TERMS OF THE PRISON POPULATION, PHYSICAL FACILITIES FOR INMATES, TRADITIONAL INDUSTRY PROGRAMS, AND INMATE EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS AND TRENDS.
Abstract
LESS THAN 2,100 PERSONS ARE UNDER THE JURISDICTION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS. THE STATE IS BUILDING A 400-BED HIGH-SECURITY INSTITUTION AND IS REMODELING THE EXISTING PRISON. SPECIAL EMPHASIS IS PLACED ON PRISON WORK PROGRAMS AND ON THE UPGRADING OF THESE PROGRAMS TO A FUNCTIONING LEVEL THAT APPROXIMATES PRIVATE INDUSTRY. THE UNDERLYING PHILOSOPHY IS THAT A SOUND WORK ETHIC, AN ADEQUATE FINANCIAL BASE, AND NORMAL RESPONSIBILITIES THROUGH A CHARGE FOR ROOM AND BOARD WILL BETTER PREPARE INMATES FOR REINTEGRATION INTO SOCIETY. AT THE SAME TIME, IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT WORK PROGRAMS WILL CONVERT FAILING INDUSTRIES INTO SELF-SUPPORTING BUSINESSES. A TASK FORCE, CONVENED TO STUDY INDUSTRY PROGRAMS, MADE FIVE RECOMMENDATIONS: (1) REORGANIZE THE ADMINISTRATION OF INDUSTRY PROGRAMS; (2) HIRE AN INDUSTRY DIRECTOR WITH EXTENSIVE EXPERIENCE IN PRIVATE INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT; (3) DEVISE A RESPONSIVE ACCOUNTING SYSTEM TO MONITOR AND ADJUST INDUSTRY ACTIVITIES; (4) INCREASE WAGES BASED ON WORKER PRODUCTION; AND (5) ALLOW FOR ONGOING INPUT FROM PRIVATE INDUSTRY THROUGH AN INDUSTRY ADVISORY BOARD. INDUSTRY UNITS BEGAN PERFORMING WORK FOR PRIVATE INDUSTRY, AS WELL AS ALLOWING OFFENDERS TO WORK DIRECTLY FOR PRIVATE COMPANIES LOCATED WITHIN INSTITUTIONS. THE LEAA BECAME INTERESTED IN THE WORK PROGRAM AND OFFERED TO FUND THE PROGRAM IN A PROJECT KNOWN AS FREE VENTURE. WITH THE LEAA GRANT, EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES WERE PURCHASED TO CAPITALIZE A NUMBER OF ADDITIONAL WORK PROGRAMS. THE FREE VENTURE PROJECT HAS BEEN SUCCESSFUL AND HAS GENERATED WORKER-BASED REVENUE THROUGH TAXES, ROOM AND BOARD CHARGES, AND FAMILY SUPPORT. THESE FUNDS HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO TAXPAYERS AND FAMILIES TO REDUCE THE COST OF OFFENDER INCARCERATION. APPENDIXES CONTAIN AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE TASK FORCE'S RECOMMENDED APPROACH AND PROVIDE INFORMATION ON FREE VENTURE SHOPS, PRIVATE INDUSTRY EVALUATION OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WORK PROGRAM, A STATISTICAL SUMMARY OF THE WORK PROGRAM, AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF FREE VENTURE PRISON INDUSTRIES. (DEP)