Why Jail Industries?

The criminal justice system and the Legislature support jail industries because people see many benefits when inmates work.

Jail industries need 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 and technical assistance to establish, develop, and maintain jail industries through partnerships with labor, business, victims, community, and government, which promote:

• Victim compensation and restitution
  
• Reduced cost of incarceration
  
• Reduced victimization and recidivism
  
• Meaningful work experience and work ethics
  
• Public service through offender labor

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

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:

Starting new programs as the entire criminal justice system is overburdened:

• 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 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 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

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


Top of Page