NCJ Number
10632
Journal
Crime and Delinquency Volume: 19 Issue: 2 Dated: (APRIL 1973) Pages: 200211
Date Published
1973
Length
12 pages
Annotation
THE CURRENT USE OF INMATE MANPOWER RESULTS IN IRRELEVANT JOBS, POOR INCENTIVES FOR INMATES, A LABOR OVERSUPPLY FOR ADMINISTRATORS, AND KEEPS PRISON COSTS HIGH.
Abstract
PROHIBITIONS AGAINST PROFIT-MAKING BY PRISON INDUSTRIES PREVENT INMATES FROM WORKING IN A TRULY REHABILITATIVE SITUATION WHICH COULD HELP THEM TO ADAPT TO THE NORMAL INCENTIVES OF FREE SOCIETY. DEMAND FOR PRISONERS' OUTPUT IS LIMITED IN BOTH QUANTITY AND VARIETY. A PLURALITY OF SHORT SENTENCES PRECLUDES SUFFICIENT TIME FOR ADEQUATE JOB TRAINING OF INMATES. INTRODUCTION OF PRIVATE INDUSTRY BRANCHES WITHIN PRISONS MIGHT HELP TO ALLEVIATE LACK OF INMATE INCENTIVE AND CHRONIC LABOR OVERSUPPLY. A BETTER ALTERNATIVE MIGHT BE THE EXPANSION OF WORKRELEASE PROGRAMS, PRINCIPALLY IN TERMS OF POSTRELEASE EMPLOYMENT, REDUCED CORRECTIONAL COSTS, AND CORRECTIONS' ACCOUNTABILITY TO SOCIETY FOR REHABILITATIVE EFFORTS. BENEFITS AND PROBLEMS OF BOTH PROGRAMS ARE DISCUSSED.