NCJ Number
214791
Date Published
November 1995
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This paper describes the Prison Industry Enhancement (PIE) Certification Program created by the U.S. Congress and administered by the Bureau of Justice Assistance which lifts restrictions on the sale of inmate-made products in interstate commerce, as well as to the Federal Government.
Abstract
The Prison Industry Enhancement (PIE) Certification Program has two objectives: generate products and services enabling inmates to make a contribution to society and help offset the cost of incarceration, compensate crime victims and provide inmate family support, and provide a means of reducing prison idleness, increasing inmate job skills and improving a successful transition to the community upon release. The PIE Certification Program allows private industry to establish joint ventures with State and local corrections agencies to produce goods using inmate labor. There are seven criteria that must be met by corrections departments wishing to participate in the Program. Corrections agencies may take a series of deductions from wages earned by inmates which can used for room and board, taxes, family support, and crime victim compensation. Those corrections departments interested in the program certification process may request a PIE Certification Program application from the U.S. Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Assistance. All States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Island and all units of local government are eligible to apply for certification. As of 1995, 36 jurisdictions have been certified under the program. This paper describes the certification process under the PIE Certification Program created by Congress, originally authorized under the Justice System Improvement Act of 1979 and continued under the Crime Control Act of 1990. The PIE Certification Program exempts State and local certified corrections departments from normal restrictions on the sale of inmate-made goods in interstate commerce and with the Federal Government. The Program encourages State and local governments to establish employment opportunities for inmates that approximate private sector work opportunities.