NCJ Number
32140
Date Published
1975
Length
68 pages
Annotation
AN ANALYSIS OF THE MERITS, LIMITATIONS, AND PROBLEMS OF VARIOUS APPROACHES TO PRISON INDUSTRY, WITH RECOMMENDED MEASURES AND PROGRAMS TO IMPROVE THESE INDUSTRIES.
Abstract
ACTIVITIES OF THIS PLANNING STUDY INCLUDED AN EXAMINATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE LEGISLATION AFFECTING PRISON INDUSTRIES, ON-SITE VISITS TO SEVERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES, AND A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE ON PRISON INDUSTRIES. THE HISTORY AND SCOPE OF PRISON INDUSTRIES ARE FIRST DISCUSSED. THE AUTHORS THEN REVIEW THE CONFLICTING GOALS OF PRISON INDUSTRIES AND CHALLENGE THE TRADITIONAL GOALS. IT IS ARGUED THAT AS CURRENTLY CONSTITUTED, PRISON INDUSTRIES DO NOT ACHIEVE EITHER THE GOAL OF REHABILITATION OR THAT OF PROVIDING VALUABLE WORK FOR INMATES AND PRISONS. IT IS PROPOSED THAT PRISON INDUSTRY GOALS BE REVISED, AND THAT GOALS BE DEVELOPED FOR THEM AS INDUSTRIES, RATHER THAN AS CORRECTIONAL PROGRAMS. THE AUTHORS RECOMMEND THAT PRISON INDUSTRIES BE REDESIGNED TO PROVIDE REAL WORK EXPERIENCES, FULL WORK DAYS, JOB COMPENSATION, MINIMUM WAGES, AND MERIT PAY INCREASES. A CLOSER RELATIONSHIP WITH PRIVATE INDUSTRY AND AN END TO LAWS RESTRICTING PRISON PRODUCTION AND MARKETING ARE ALSO RECOMMENDED.