NCJ Number
133320
Date Published
1991
Length
40 pages
Annotation
A 1991 survey of 54 directors of correctional industry programs, including 52 State program, the District of Columbia, and the California Youth Authority received 46 responses that provided information on the nature of correctional industries and markets, inmate employment numbers, and the nature of private sector involvement.
Abstract
The questionnaires also gathered information regarding skill certification, job placement, and employability training status; post-release employment and recidivism tracking; and methods of improving inmates' chances of postrelease employment. Results demonstrated that the most common industries are furniture manufacturing; license tags and signs; garment, textile, and upholstery; printing; and various agricultural enterprises. Of the 37 participants that specified their markets, 43 percent indicated governmental use only, 24 percent reported government and nonprofit organizations, and 27 reported selling products on the open market as well. The total inmate workforce is 50,737 in the 46 States. Issues needing further attention include the needs for life skills training to aid the transition after release, a focus on the work ethic as the main goal of prison industries, and increased resources to conduct the preparatory programs that are often underfunded. Survey instrument, verbatim comments from respondents, and 9 references