Prison Work Programs

Paper Summary:

This paper describes and explains the controversy in the US over the prison labor system that has existed since the development of Federal prisons in 1891. The author then provides material from various studies that have been carried out in the past as well as a research proposal to show that prison work programs help inmates to have fewer incidents of in-prison behavior issues, higher opinions of work, and lower recidivism rates.

From the Paper:

"Since the development of Federal prisons in 1891, there has been controversy over the prison labor system. In its inception, inmates engaged in the building of the original three Federal prisons, those in Atlanta, Leavenworth, and McNeil Island. Following their construction, the inmates housed in such prisons worked as janitors, farmers to produce food for prison use, tailors, launderers, clerics, and houseboys for wardens or other staff members. By 1919, the Federal prison in Atlanta had opened a textile mill, and by 1924, Leavenworth operated an inmate run shoe factory. However, the U.S. Bureau of Efficiency still reported several thousands of inmates without daily work activities. In light of the Special Committee's note that prison industrial programs could not only be self-sustaining, but also helpful in the reduction of recidivism, a response was clearly required (UNICOR, "Federal Inmate Work Programs...")."

Sample of Sources Used:

• U.S. Department of Justice. About the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Lompac, CA: Federal Prison Industries, 2001.
• UNICOR. "Federal Inmate Work Programs Prior to the Creation of Federal Prison Industries." UNICOR Federal Prison Industries, Inc. 2006. UNICOR. 9 Nov. 2007. <http://www.unicor.gov/about/organization/history/inmate_work_programs.cfm>.
• UNICOR. "Marketing the Product and Selling the Program: UNICOR Since 1980." UNICOR Federal Prison Industries, Inc. 2006. UNICOR. 9 Nov. 2007. <http://www.unicor.gov/about/organization/history/unicor_1980.cfm>.
• Wilson, David B., Gallagher, Catherine A. and MacKenzie, Doris L. "A Meta-Analysis of Corrections-Based Education, Vocation, and Work Programs for Adult Offenders." Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency 37.1 (2001): 347-368.

More papers on Prison Work Programs:

• Term Paper # 122087 : "Prison Labor as Slavery"
• Persuasive Essay # 116509 : "Prison Corrections"
• Research Paper # 64808 : "Prison Management"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: