Program Summary: The Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP), which began in 1979, is a prison industries program that allows prison and jail inmates to work in private sector jobs and earn locally-prevailing market wages with deductions for taxes, room and board, victims’ compensation, and family support. As of the end of 2007, the program was operational in 38 state prison systems and six local jurisdictions, and 5,401 inmates were employed in the program. Eligibility requirements for PIECP vary from place to place; the only required stipulation is that participants must certify that they have volunteered for the program. Generally, however, participants must have been free of disciplinary reports for six months prior to participation in the program, be classified at the minimum or medium security level, have completed high school or their GED or be currently enrolled in a high school or GED program, have at least six months remaining on their sentence, and have no medical issues that would prevent them from working. … (more)

Program Summary: The Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP), which began in 1979, is a prison industries program that allows prison and jail inmates to work in private sector jobs and earn locally-prevailing market wages with deductions for taxes, room and board, victims’ compensation, and family support. As of the end of 2007, the program was operational in 38 state prison systems and six local jurisdictions, and 5,401 inmates were employed in the program. Eligibility requirements for PIECP vary from place to place; the only required stipulation is that participants must certify that they have volunteered for the program. Generally, however, participants must have been free of disciplinary reports for six months prior to participation in the program, be classified at the minimum or medium security level, have completed high school or their GED or be currently enrolled in a high school or GED program, have at least six months remaining on their sentence, and have no medical issues that would prevent them from working. Requirements to work in a particular industry vary as well but tend to stipulate that inmates apply and be a good match for that industry in terms of skill and interest; work experience is preferred, but it is not required. PIECP programs can be held either in correctional facilities or separate manufacturing facilities. (less)

Program Summary: The Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP), which began in 1979, is a prison industries program that allows prison and jail inmates to work in private sector jobs and earn locally-prevailing market wages with deductions for taxes, room and board, victims’ compensation, and family support. As of the end of 2007, the program was operational in 38 state prison systems and six local jurisdictions, and 5,401 inmates were employed in the program (Cox 2009). Eligibility requirements for PIECP vary from place to place; the only required stipulation is that participants must certify that they have volunteered for the program. Generally, however, participants must have been free of disciplinary reports for six months prior to participation in the program, be classified at the minimum or medium security level, have completed high school or their GED or be currently enrolled in a high school or GED program, have at least six months remaining on their sentence, and have no medical issues that would prevent them from working. … (more)

Program Summary: The Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP), which began in 1979, is a prison industries program that allows prison and jail inmates to work in private sector jobs and earn locally-prevailing market wages with deductions for taxes, room and board, victims’ compensation, and family support. As of the end of 2007, the program was operational in 38 state prison systems and six local jurisdictions, and 5,401 inmates were employed in the program (Cox 2009). Eligibility requirements for PIECP vary from place to place; the only required stipulation is that participants must certify that they have volunteered for the program. Generally, however, participants must have been free of disciplinary reports for six months prior to participation in the program, be classified at the minimum or medium security level, have completed high school or their GED or be currently enrolled in a high school or GED program, have at least six months remaining on their sentence, and have no medical issues that would prevent them from working. Requirements to work in a particular industry vary as well but tend to stipulate that inmates apply and be a good match for that industry in terms of skill and interest; work experience is preferred, but it is not required. PIECP programs can be held either in correctional facilities or separate manufacturing facilities. (less)

Program Summary: The goal of the Correctional Industries program in Washington State is to promote job skill development and work ethic that can benefit inmates both during incarceration and after release. Various types of public sector/private sector contracts exist within the Correctional Industries program, but the one evaluated in the present study is Class I, in which the Department of Corrections contracts a private sector business to provide equipment, management, supervision, and training for participating inmates, who work within the correctional facility…. (more)

Program Summary: The goal of the Correctional Industries program in Washington State is to promote job skill development and work ethic that can benefit inmates both during incarceration and after release. Various types of public sector/private sector contracts exist within the Correctional Industries program, but the one evaluated in the present study is Class I, in which the Department of Corrections contracts a private sector business to provide equipment, management, supervision, and training for participating inmates, who work within the correctional facility.
Job requirements vary by facility and job, but in reviewing applications, correctional staff ensure that the inmate meets the appropriate security classification level, has been free of disciplinary actions for the previous six months, can perform the job’s tasks mentally and physically, meets the job’s general skill requirements, and has worked within the facility (for example, as kitchen staff or a custodian) for at least three months.