Chapter 5 Industry, Agriculture, and Education
History of Inmate Labor Early societies: forced labor for public works Earliest prisons held workers to avoid escape England Bridewell – 1557 Industry to offset cost of housing/feeding the poor Shotdrill and treadmill – forms of useless labor Early America Pennsylvania system – textiles, shoemaking Auburn system – industrial production Private sector interest – lease labor system; agricultural production after Civil War
The 20 th Century and Prison Labor (1 of 2) State Use Laws More than half the states had some type Hawes-Cooper (1929): prison produced goods subject to laws of receiving state Ashurst-Sumner (1935): prison produced goods clearly labeled and prohibited sale to states that had laws prohibiting them UNICOR (1934): federal prison system employs 20% of federal prisoners; produces $666 million in goods annually
The 20 th Century and Prison Labor (2 of 2) Prison Industry Enhancement Certification PIE program (1979): permits selling prison produced goods as long as elements are met Pay comparable wages Consult with labor and industry No displacement of workers Collect funds for victim assistance Provide inmates with medical benefits Ensure work is voluntary Provide role for private sector
Prison Labor Today (1 of 2) Agriculture Programs About half the states still have them Texas and California largest programs Less popular because Low labor needs of modern agriculture Lack of useful job training for inmates Cheaper to buy food than produce it
Prison Labor Today (2 of 2) Manufacturing Programs Almost all states have manufacturing Most products restricted to state-use Public Works and Prison Construction Public projects, building new prisons, additions Florida saved $14 million by inmate labor Prison Maintenance 7% of all inmates employed in food service 7% of all inmates employed in laundry and janitorial service jobs
Current Issues in Prison Labor Displacement of civilian jobs Inmate compensation and wages Inmate safety and security Cost-effectiveness of prison industries
Inmate Education (1 of 3) Early educational efforts were humanitarian and the purpose was to read Only on Sundays From mid-1800s reformers saw education as part of prison
Inmate Education (2 of 3) Contemporary Vocational Education Programs Women’s programs — sex stereotyped, inadequate (Glover v. Johnson) Community colleges — location is a problem Funding: Pell Grants (not any more), state general education budget, individual Evaluation studies – mixed results Work attitudes Ability to get a job Civil disabilities
Inmate Education (3 of 3) Contemporary Academic Education Programs Adult Basic Education (federal system requires high school education) GED (or high school diploma) —average inmate has 9th grade education at entry Prison college—few inmates, evaluation studies show it lowers recidivism Educational release—not very prevalent any more