There was a time when the federal government could count on prisoners to bring in millions of dollars in profits through its prison industries work contracts. Prisoners making radio mounts for the military, or furniture for government offices are paid a fraction of what they would earn in a competitive job market. Receiving up to $1.15 an hour for their labor, federal prisoners make necessary items for the government. By paying inmates a low wage, the government is able to keep its budget down.
The prisoners earn a higher wage on their job than any other prison job pays. Inmates also receive job training in furniture making, sewing, assembling cables and electronic, printing and recycling, skills that can be applied to the seeking employment after release.
Now, however, the unemployment problems that plague the outside world have crept in behind the prison walls. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, in the past two years, 7,000 inmates have lost their jobs and 800 more jobs will be cut in the next few months. Federal Prison Industries spokesperson, Julie Rozer, reported that nine prison factories will be closed in the up-coming months. In a USA Today article from July 19, 2010, Kevin Johnson reports that along with the nine prison factories closing, there will be staff reductions in eleven others.
Prison Industries was created by Congress in 1934 to provide job training for federal prisoners. In its 75 year history, federal prison factories provided 80 items and services that were sold to the federal government. In 2008, federal inmates working in prison industries numbered 23,152. Today, out of 2111,146 federal inmates, only 16,115 are employed in that sector.
The loss of federal Prison Industries jobs is anticipated to have an impact on safety issues. Correctional officers believe that in the already overcrowded federal prisons, loss of jobs will cause unrest. In a July 19, 2010 USA Today article, federal prison employees association president, Bryan Lowery, discussed the increase in violence as increased since 2008, the year federal prisoners began losing their jobs. Assaults on staff members went up from 100 in 2008, to 105 in 2009, and inmate-on-inmate assaults rose from 475 to 524 during that same time period. The fear that these numbers will rise now that more inmates are losing their jobs is very real among federal correctional staff. Inmates typically use their wages to pay child support, court assessment fees and fines and for toiletries and phone calls to families. Not being able to afford to pay for these obligations and necessities will add stress to an already stressful environment. The federal prison system is already 37% over capacity. With the loss of jobs, more prisoners will be in the housing units, recreation areas and every other approved access area. Lowry is concerned for both staff and inmate safety because he reports that in some prisons there is only one correctional officer for 150 inmates, which could mean trouble.
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