Prison Labor and Prison Industries (From Crime and Justice - An Annual Review of Research, V 5, P 85-127, 1983, Michael Tonry and Norval Morris, eds. - See NCJ-92448)

• NCJ Number: 92450
• Author(s): G Hawkins
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 43 pages
• Sale Source: University of Chicago Press
• Publication Type: Historical Overview
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: *This document is currently unavailable from NCJRS.

Annotation

The principal barrier to a rational solution to the problem of prisoners' work and prison industry has been the persistent influence on penal policy of the principle of less eligibility.

Abstract

An unusual opportunity exists at this time for effective political intervention aimed at achieving the development of efficient prison industries and the profitable employment of prison labor. The paper demonstrates the central importance of prison industrial policy issues and deals with the way in which 20th century treatment ideology reinforced the long-standing tradition of opposition to, and neglect of, prison industries. It disputes the view that the prison labor problem is insoluble because 'economic forces' preclude industrial development in prisons and argues that it is based on a perverse misreading of historical evidence. The article deals with prisoners' remuneration and argues that prisoners' wages should parallel those paid for similar work outside prison. The rationale for the organization of industrial prisons is outlined, and purposes to be served by effective prison work programs are defined. About 80 references are supplied.