NCJ Number
137354
Date Published
1992
Length
200 pages
Annotation
A national survey developed and distributed in 1991 provides the basis for this update on offender employment in correctional industries.
Abstract
As of June 30, 1991, 63,919 offenders were employed in State and Federal correctional industries throughout the United States. Jurisdictions ranged from a high correctional industries employment level of 23 percent in the Federal Prison Industries, Inc. to a low of .04 percent in Hawaii Correctional Industries. There has been a 100-percent increase overall in offender employment in correctional industries since 1980 and an expansion in the variety and type of products and services provided by inmate labor. The current trend is toward meeting the contemporary needs of government and private markets. The employment of inmates in current industries provides offenders with the opportunity to develop valuable skills and, upon their release, to meet the need for experienced workers in the private sector. Constraints of operating within a correctional environment often limit the success of correctional industries in reducing idleness and realizing other statutorily-mandated goals. 66 tables and 1 appendix