Employment as a Human Right
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here to download 2001 Annual Report pdf
Contemplating work as a human right certainly lends a different perspective to the continuing debate about prison industries.
We must remember that individuals are sent to prison AS punishment and not FOR punishment. Punishment in the form of a prison term includes the elements of deterrence, retribution, incapacitation, and rehabilitation. Forcing prisoners to perform harsh, strenuous, and meaningless labor does not meet the goals of a modern correctional system. A civilized society sees prison work for its rehabilitative potential and its importance in a broader correctional management program that includes education, vocational training, and substance abuse treatment.
 "UNICOR is an equal employment business, there is no discrimination or prejudice involved. If a person wants to work, then the opportunity is available to all incarcerated individuals. UNICOR allows anyone who never had the opportunity to work to be more responsible, and more aware of what it takes to survive in the outside world. UNICOR should be a mandatory requirement once you are sentenced to do time in prison. You learn things you never thought you could do. I learned
that it takes hard work to survive on the outside. Easy money is good,
but earned money makes you appreciate what you have achieved. UNICOR
makes my time here a little less stressful, and a lot more dedicated
to want to be someone important when I get out. So if you have a chance
to work for UNICOR, check it out, it may change your life forever." |
Nowhere in Federal statute is it written that offenders should be restricted from meaningful, productive work opportunities as part of their sentence. In fact, our Federal statute specifically requires all able-bodied inmates to work in some capacity.
When inmates perform productive work, they acquire marketable skills, ranging from a basic work ethic to trade-specific expertise. These skills improve self-esteem and enhance the prospect for post-release success. Further, prison idleness and the inherent safety and security risks it breeds are reduced when inmates are constructively occupied.
Next year alone, 600,000 inmates (about 1,600 daily) will be released from State and Federal prisons and return to their, primarily, inner-city communities. If they are overwhelmed with uphill challenges to re-integrate without sufficient preparation and marketable job skills, the likelihood that these individuals will violate their conditions of release and commit new crimes is very real.
Sadly, there are factions in our society which continue to resist the idea of providing inmates the ability to perform meaningful work while incarcerated. Some view "work" as part of the punishment and thus believe it should be menial, demoralizing, and perhaps even debilitating.
On a more encouraging note, rigorous professional research has validated that inmates who participate in vocational training and prison industries work programs while incarcerated are 24 percent less likely to return to criminal behavior and 14 percent more likely to be employed. The data also revealed that minorities, who are at greatest risk for recidivism, benefitted more from programs such as UNICOR.
Productive inmate work also contributes to the U.S. economy by generating private sector demand. Of the sales revenue generated by FPI, every cent goes into the economy. Seventy-three cents on the dollar is spent buying raw materials, supplies, services, and equipment from commercial companies, thereby creating private sector jobs. Twenty cents is spent on salaries and benefits of the civil service staff who train and supervise inmate workers. Seven cents is paid to inmates, and those working for FPI are required to pay at least 50 percent of their earnings toward satisfying their financial obligations, including fines, family support, and victim restitution. The balance of their pay may be spent in prison commissaries, which sell items supplied exclusively by private sector vendors within the local communities.
To truly achieve the full potential of FPI’s work skills development program, our way of thinking must be changed. Under the appropriate terms and conditions, providing as many inmates as possible the chance to engage in productive, meaningful work is sound public policy. It is a responsible course of action which will achieve benefits for inmates and their families, the taxpaying public, businesses of all types and sizes, labor organizations, and the criminal justice system.
| The fourth-grade class of a local elementary school received a special holiday gift from the Federal Correctional Institution (FCI), Marianna, Florida, Computer Recycling Factory. Five computers were donated to the school and are being put to good use in their classroom. The children will be able to use the computers to learn important math and language skills. The donation was made in accordance with Executive Order 12999, The Computers for Learning Program. |
Positive Outlook
"Forty-three months ago I was sentenced to Federal prison. Only the worst of thoughts ran through my mind. At the time I did not know how anyone could survive being incarcerated. I thought "God, if I ever really survive prison, how will I support my two young children as a single mother without the ability to practice nursing again?"
In 1998, I started working for the UNICOR in Coleman, Florida. The money I made working in the UNICOR Warehouse greatly helped me earn my financial independence while being incarcerated. But I knew at this time I had not learned any new skills to help with "life after prison." In 1999, I transferred to the prison camp in Marianna, Florida.
This transfer has truly changed how I look at the future. I no longer fear being released with no career opportunities, thanks to UNICOR Recycle and the Education Department at FPC Marianna.
Over the last twenty-one months, I have been
fortunate to work in the laptop department at UNICOR Recycle. My future
career was developed by working with professional officers who are highly
skilled in many areas of the computer industry. Some of my daily duties
involve salvaging parts from damaged laptops, to refurbishing complete
computer systems to perfect performance. The position I hold at UNICOR
had given me a newfound self-confidence, but I was still unsure if I
could build a career in the computer field with my experience alone."
FEMALE INMATE
Cut & Sew Factory, FCI Dublin, California
"I am no longer concerned with that thought. As I understand it, the Education Department, in a joint effort with UNICOR, at the A+ Certification program available to FPC Marianna. I am proud to say I completed the course and I now hold the A+ Certification. My release date is five weeks away, and I have already received many job offers in the computer field. Therefore, when I leave FPC Marianna on November 7, 2001, I will not be troubled over not having a career. I will contemplate which potential employer will best suit my needs. Or perhaps I will even consider the possibilities of becoming self-employed.
My many thanks will forever be extended to the
Education Department and UNICOR at FPC Marianna for providing such professional
courses as the A+ Certification program to inmates. The course was a
strenuous twelve weeks. If I had not been privileged enough to receive
this additional training, I would have never taken the time to learn
so many important aspects and details about computers. If given the
chance, I would highly recommend the A+ Certification to anyone with
the desire of starting a new career."
FEMALE INMATE
Computer Recycling Factory, FCI Marianna, Florida
Projections
