Private industry inside prisons: More than reentry preparedness

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Private industry inside prisons More than
re-entry preparedness

• Cindy J. Smith
• Chief, International Center
• National Institute of Justice
• Cindy.Smith_at_usdoj.gov

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Overview

• The Problem re-entry
• The Result potential recidivism
• The Solution PIE
• What is it?
• How does it work?
• Is it Transferable?

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The Problem Re-entry

• 650,000 released per year
• 1.4 million prisoners 90 are released
• 40 will be released within one year

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In Prison what happens? Incredible amount of
change occurs in one day
Prison one source
Community
Family separation Community Money
Food Shelter Medical treatment Clothing Employmen
t
5
Re-entry what happens?
.
Prison
Community multiple sources
Family separation Community Money
Food Shelter Medical treatment Clothing Employmen
t
6
The Results Recidivism Daily
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The Solution - What is PIE?

• Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program
  (PIE)

• Partnership
• Industry sets up a business inside
• the prison
• Inmates work are paid the same
• salary as any worker outside the
• prison
• (minimum 5.15 / hour or more)

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What are the 9 criteria PIE?

• Eligibility of agency to participate
• Inmate wages -
• Non-inmate worker displacement
• Benefits
• Deductions (up to 80)
• Voluntary participation by inmate in PIE
• Consultation with organized labor
• Consultation with local private industry
• Compliance with National Environmental Policy Act

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Matched Sample age, race, gender, crime type,
length of sentence, disciplinary reports
n6464
Other than Work
Traditional Industries
PIE
10
PIE fewer arrests, convictions, and returns to
prison
11
PIE releasees get employedand stay employed
longer
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Who Gains from PIE?
37
10
28
11
9
5
Child Support family support restitution
Mandatory savings
Net pay for food, toiletries, health care in
prison
Room Board
Taxes
Victims compen-sation
Offender benefits
Society benefits
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Is PIE Transferable?

• 38 states participating in PIE
• 3 models (manpower, employer, customer)
• Wide variety of industries skills (hard soft)
• ISO9000 computer wiring harnesses
• PVC furniture
• Jostens (graduation gowns)
• Trailer manufacturing
• Blinds, draperies
• Eye glasses
• Are jobs available when they get released?

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Summary

• The Problem Tremendous change occurs on
• one day. Preparation is necessary.
• The Result Potential recidivism
• The Solution PIE (Wages Skills)
• What is it? Private industry inside prisons
  training
• inmates for life outside prison.
• Does it work? Reduces recidivism
• Increases employment post release
• Transferable? 3 models in 38 cultures

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For additional information Full reports

• Cindy SMITH, et al.
• www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/214608.pdf
• Tom PETERSIK, et al.
• www.nationalcia.org/researchfullrpt.pdf
• Cindy.Smith_at_usdoj.gov