OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2006

Date: Sept. 14, 2006
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Employment and Affirmative Action Criminal Justice


FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES COMPETITION IN CONTRACTING ACT OF 2006 -- (House of Representatives - September 14, 2006)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. DAVIS of Illinois. Mr. Chairman, I appreciate the work that the Judiciary Committee has spent dealing with this very difficult and complex issue, and I want to thank the gentleman from Michigan for yielding.

All of us know that one of the biggest problems facing inmates when they get out of prison is the ability to get a job. The best way that you can convince a potential employer that you understand the world of work is that you have been working. Therefore, this program which provides inmates an opportunity to work needs all of the protection that it can possibly get.

I agree that we need to change some things about it. I would agree that we need to find a way to pay the inmates more, especially as they get close to release time so that maybe when they get out, they have got a little bit of money in their pocket that they can get started with back in civilian life.

But to do anything that would reduce the possibility of individuals working while they are incarcerated goes against the grain. It does not benefit our correctional system. It does not benefit our correctional institutions.

I spend time in the Federal prisons, and every administrator that I have come into contact with supports this program and wants to see it expanded, not reduced or possibly eliminated.

I again thank the gentleman from Michigan.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

http://thomas.loc.gov

arrow_upward