Course: Corrections
The term industrial prison refers to a correctional facility that operates like a factory, emphasizing producing goods and services for sale in the market.
In an industrial prison, inmates may be employed in manufacturing, agriculture, or other industries and are paid wages for their work.
Proponents of industrial prisons argue that they provide valuable job training and work experience for inmates, which can help them to transition back into society once they are released. They also argue that the revenue generated by selling prison-made goods can offset the cost of running the correctional facility, reducing the burden on taxpayers.
Critics of industrial prisons argue that they are exploitative and that inmates are paid extremely low wages for their work, sometimes as little as a few cents per hour. They also argue that the profit motive can lead to unsafe working conditions and that the use of prison labor may create unfair competition with private businesses.
The use of industrial prisons is controversial, and opinions on their effectiveness and morality vary widely. Some countries and jurisdictions have banned the use of prison labor altogether, while others continue to operate industrial prisons as a way to provide employment and generate revenue.