WHY
JAIL INDUSTRIES?
The
criminal justice system and the Legislature support jail industries
because people see many benefits when inmates work. Jail industries
needs the support of the general public, business, and labor interests,
because to reap the benefits of employing inmates, local governments
must develop partnerships with communities and employers.
LEGISLATIVE
INTENT
"It
is the purpose and intent of the legislature, through this chapter,
to establish a state-wide jail industries program designed to
promote inmate rehabilitation through meaningful work experience
and reduce the costs of incarceration."
RCW 36.110.010
MISSION
OF THE JAIL INDUSTRIES BOARD
Provide statewide leadership for jails to promote and mobilize employment focused community reentry programs through partnerships with labor, business, victims, communities, social service agencies and government.
DEVELOPMENT
OF THE JAIL INDUSTRIES BOARD
1991
- 1992
- An informal group of local
criminal justice and corrections professionals interested
in expanding work and training options for jails
- Technical assistance and support
received from many state agencies, including Employment Security
and the Department of Corrections
1993
- A twenty-one member all volunteer
board authorized by legislation
- Business, labor, crime victims,
and state agency representatives appointed by the Governor
- Corrections, criminal justice,
and local government representatives appointed by associations
for those groups
1996
- State funding made available
for the first time
- Office established with state
funds and significant in-kind contributions
- Executive Director position
filled July 1996
Post
1996
- Ongoing work with correctional
professionals and stakeholders throughout Washington
JAIL
INDUSTRIES BOARD DUTIES IDENTIFIED BY LEGISLATION
-
Encourage the development of local
jail industries advisory groups balancing the interests of business,
labor, sheltered workshops, and crime victims advocacy groups
ensuring that:
A jail industry has minimal negative impact on existing private
industries or the labor force in the locale where the industry
operates
A jail industry does not negatively affect employment opportunities
for people with developmental disabilities contracted through
the operation of sheltered workshops
- Establish an arbitration process
for resolving conflicts arising among the local business community
and labor organizations concerning new industries programs, products,
services, or wages
- Encourage collection and analysis
of jail industries program data
- Certify private sector inmate
employment programs per federal prison industries enhancement
certification program criteria
- Provide technical training assistance
to local jurisdictions at the jurisdiction's request
- Encourage linkages between jail
industries programs and education and training to improve worker
literacy and employability skills
JAIL
INDUSTRIES BENEFITS FOR THE PUBLIC
- Inmates held accountable by
paying restitution, fines, and other costs
- Offenders better prepared
to return to their communities
- A training ground for, and
labor pool of, potential employees
- Inmates work to help pay back
the community
JAIL
INDUSTRIES BENEFITS FOR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
- Inmate labor helps offset
costs of incarceration
- City and county services provided
at lower costs
- Expanded services that otherwise
could not be provided
- Cost avoidance and partnership
opportunities available with many departments
- The public supports inmates
working
JAIL
INDUSTRIES BENEFITS FOR JAILS
- Lower operating costs
- A safer jail through reduced
idleness and tension
- Positive behavior management
tools
- Strengthened ties to the community
- Inmate work experience and
income
JAIL
INDUSTRIES BENEFITS FOR INMATES
- A chance to learn work skills
and work ethics
- Opportunity to earn money
or privileges
- Improved living environment
- Better chance of post release
employment
TYPES
OF JAIL INDUSTRIES
Free
Venture Employer Model
- Private sector businesses
and not-for-profit organizations
- Goods and services sold on
the open market
- Businesses supervise their
own operations and furnish own equipment
- Inmates paid wages comparable
to those in the community
Free
Venture Customer Model
- A city or county operates
the enterprise
- Goods and services sold to
Washington state businesses
(Must replace things produced or assembled by out-of-state
or foreign suppliers)
- Jurisdiction supervises the
inmates and may furnish the equipment
- Inmates paid wages comparable
to those in the community
Tax
Reduction
- Industries owned and operated
by city/county to provide work training and jobs
- Goods and services sold only
to governments or to not-for-profit organizations
- Goal is to reduce public support
costs
- Some inmates paid small gratuities
and others work without pay
Operations
Support
- Labor performed by inmates
to support daily operations of the jail
- Examples include food service,
laundry, janitorial, maintenance, and landscape services
- Most workers not paid but
may receive privileges
Work
Crew
- Non-paid labor by offenders
sentenced to community service in lieu of jail time
- Labor must benefit the community,
not individuals or private businesses
- Some jurisdictions provide
crew supervisors from jail staff
- Other jurisdictions supervise
operations from a corrections or probation department
CHALLENGES
FOR JAILS
- Starting
new programs as the entire criminal justice system is overburdened
- Competition
for very limited resources
- Staff
time
- Money
- Space
- Lack
of business experience - staff training required
- Lack
of space/access designed for industrial uses
- High
inmate turnover rates
- Addressing
community concerns
A
VISION FOR THE FUTURE
- Inmates are a human resource
to be developed and used
- Jail industries are a tool
for local government service delivery improvement
- Jails develop multiple partnerships
with government agencies and local not-for-profits
- The Jail Industries Board
is THE resource for assistance and answers on jail industries
issues
Privacy
Policy
Copyright
2004 Washington State Jail industries Board All rights reserved
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