"US Prison Labor at Home and Abroad"
American University: Trade & Environment Database: The Mandala Project

The United States is going through a transitionary period with regards to prison labor. Greatly restricted domestically during the Great Depression, US prison labor is currently undergoing a period of liberalization. With the creation of private prisons, laws have begun to change with regards to inmate labor.

In the past two decades, the United States Department of Correctional Assistance has created, with the permission of Congress, the Prison Industries Enhancement Program (PIE). This new program has enabled prisons to combine with private firms to market products on a wider scale. Participating industries must comply with federal regulation that state that inmates must be paid the prevailing minimum wage for local similar work and receive worker's compensation. At the end of the day, about 80% of this money goes to costs for keeping the prisoner, victim restitution and help for their families.

While there are many domestic issues with the role of prison labor in the US and its effects on the national job market, many international laws also address this issue. However, according to international bodies, prison labor in the United States is perfectly legal.

There are many importers of prison made goods. Many companies use prison labor, so it is likely that most Americans have bought goods or used services provided or created by inmates. Items ranging from clothing, such as Victoria's Secret and blue jeans, and computers to services such as data entry and telemarketing are all made and performed by prison labor. As another bonus, prison made goods do not have to be labeled as such and often are appealing to companies who wish to be able to put "Made in the USA" on their products.

Companies That Use Prison Labor In the USA:

MicroJet, Nike, Lockhart Technologies, Inc., United Vision Group, Chatleff Controls, TWA, Dell Computers, Microsoft, Eddie Bauer, Planet Hollywood, Redwood Outdoors, Wilson Sporting Goods, Union Bay, Elliot Bay, A&I Manufacturing, Washington Marketing Group, Omega Pacific, J.C. Penney, Victoria's Secret, Best Western Hotels, Honda, K-Mart, Target, Kwalu, Inc., McDonald's, Hawaiian Tropical Products, Burger King, "Prison Blues" jeans line, New York, New York Hotel/Casino, Imperial Palace Hotel/Casino, Crisp Country Solid Waste Management Authority, "No Fear" Clothing Line, C.M.T. Blues, Konica, Allstate, Merrill Lynch, Shearson Lehman, Louisiana Pacific, Parke-Davis, Upjohn

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