Prison Programs

Work Programs

Work Programs

• Work Programs have clear benefits for the inmates and taxpayers.– According to the national institute of justice (NIJ), offenders who worked

for private companies while in prison obtained employment more quickly, maintained employment longer and had lower recidivism rates (Moses and Smith).

• Work Programs have been common in the corrections industry.– Been a mainstay for 150 years.– Examples include:

• Manufacture of signs• Furniture• Garments • License plates

Work Programs

• In 1979, the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP) was created by Congress.– Allowed inmates to work for a private employer in an out of

prison occupation and earn a wage.– These wages earned in prison are saved and returned to the

inmate once released and some of the wages goes to inmate room and board, alimony and child support (provided family members).

– Reduces prison idleness, increases inmate job skills, and improves the prospects of inmate transition into the outside world (Moses and Smith).

• Work Programs help inmates acquire skills that have value outside of prison.

Does PIECP work?• When compared with other work programs, inmates who

participated with the PIECP held jobs after release longer. Length of Continuous Employment Post-release

Length of Employment

Percent of PIECP Group

Percent of Traditional Industries Group

Percent of Other-Than-Work Group

1 year+ 48.6 40.4 38.5

3 years+ 13.7 10.310.3

•PIECP participants had lower rates of rearrest, conviction and incarceration than offenders who were in the other two work programs groups.

PIECP wage distribution

Education Programs

• Prisoners who attend education programs while they are incarcerated are less likely to return to prison following their release.

• Inmates who earned a diploma returned to prison custody at a significantly lower rate (26.4%) than those inmates who did not earn a degree (44.6%) (Clark).

Cain’s Rodeo

Cain’s Rodeo

• Positives for inmates – Increased inmate self worth/self esteem.– Opportunities to sell crafts artwork, leather

goods.– Small cash prizes.

• Positives for administration– Increased revenue.– Increased public sentiment.– Opportunity for publicity.