NCJ Number
230660
Journal
Corrections Today Volume: 72 Issue: 1 Dated: February 2010 Pages: 50-53
Date Published
February 2010
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This article examines the ways that correctional industries can change to survive economic downturns.
Abstract
Correctional industries (CIs) in general are self-sustaining State agencies that receive no tax-supported funding. During times of budget difficulties, CIs are commonly the last vendor to be paid by State agencies, leading to increases in budget problems for the CIs. This article addresses ways that CIs can use these periods of economic uncertainty to reinvent themselves to better withstand these downturns. One way for CIs to survive is to emulate the practices used by private business which include minimizing costs, diversifying products and services, and developing relationships with their customers. The article examines specific examples of ways that CIs can minimize their costs that include renegotiating supply contracts, reformulation of products or development of products, and reusing and recycling supplies instead of buying new ones. Finally, the article examines the most important benefit that CIs provide to correctional departments, keeping inmates employed.