Improved Prison Work Programs Will Benefit Correctional Institutions and Inmates
GGD-82-37
Published: Jun 29, 1982. Publicly Released: Jun 29, 1982.
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Highlights
Federal and state correctional institutions operate institutional work programs and industrial work programs to reduce idleness, to provide inmates with marketable job skills and meaningful work experience, and to reduce correctional costs. GAO reviewed these programs to: (1) determine how well these goals are being achieved in federal prisons; and (2) evaluate federal efforts to help the states improve the operation of their prison work programs.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Department of Justice | The Attorney General should require the Director of the Bureau of Prisons to: (1) develop inmate criteria for major institutional work programs based on inmates being involved in full-time, productive employment; (2) monitor inmate assignments to institutional work to ensure that such assignments are in accordance with staffing criteria; and (3) disseminate the results of studies on more efficient utilization of inmates in institutional work programs to all correctional institutions. |
Closed – Implemented
Bureau officials indicated that its policy is that all inmates must work if they are able to. In addition, the Bureau claims that it has expanded significantly the number of inmates involved in institutional work programs, but that there is no formal study underway that examines or monitors inmate efficiency and utilization.
|
| Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) | The Board of Directors of Federal Prision Industries (FPI) should work with the Attorney General and the Commissioner, FPI, to: (1) provide guidance on the federal product market that can appropriately be supplied by industries without overly competing with private industry; (2) develop additional incentives to attract to industries as many inmates as possible who are not required for institutional work; and (3) improve inmate training opportunities through increased emphasis on job skills relevant to those needed for employment in the private sector and by requiring inmate work schedules and productivity levels to more closely emulate those found in the private sector. |
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.
|
| Federal Prison Industries, Inc. (UNICOR) | The Board of Directors, FPI, should work with the Attorney General and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to remove constraints on supervisory personnel ceilings for FPI. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Justice has formally requested an exemption from the OMB-directed personnel ceiling for FPI. OMB has verbally denied Justice's request and plans to follow up with a written denial.
|
| Department of Justice | The Attorney General should require the Director of the National Institute of Corrections to collect and disseminate information regarding the operations of the Free Venture and Prison Industry Enhancement Programs. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Justice planned to carry out this recommendation, but budgetary constraints preclude implementation. GAO does not plan to pursue this recommendation further.
|
| Department of Justice | The Attorney General should submit to Congress anticipated future plans for the Free Venture and Prison Industry Enhancement programs, including a proposed designation of agencies to administer the two programs after termination of the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration. |
Closed – Not Implemented
FPI officials indicated that the philosophical basis of the Free Venture Program is a sound one, but its application at the federal level would be impractical. Accordingly, FPI has no plans to pursue the matter further.
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