NCJ Number
120876
Date Published
1989
Length
12 pages
Annotation
This report reviewing the history and operation of correctional industries, discusses choosing objectives and accepting tradeoffs in correctional industries, considers private-sector correctional industries, and addresses the legislative evaluation of correctional industries.
Abstract
An overview of correctional industries covers their operations, organizational links to corrections departments, management and personnel, purchasing and marketing, inmate wages and incentives, budgeting and financing, economic competition with the private sector, and the role of the private sector advisory councils. A discussion of the major objectives of correctional industries includes information from various States as to how the objectives are being met. Objectives encompass institutional benefits, inmate benefits, and societal benefits. In a concluding comment, the report advises that legislators and other State policymakers who examine the role of correctional industries within the larger correctional system should clearly specify the priority policy objectives of correctional industries. Further, policymakers should understand which correctional industry model or parts of models their State has adopted as they discuss goals. If objectives conflict, it is unlikely that correctional industries will maximize all their goals. 7 tables, 7 resources, 10-item bibliography.