The Indiana Department of Corrections exploits female incarcerated laborers inside of its female prisons. Female incarcerated are 10% of the total incarcerated population of Indiana. Instead of using its influence and power to build women up, the IDOC bullies, lies, manipulates, and exaggerates its position to abuse those on the inside.
IDOC uses a separate private business entity, Indiana Correctional Industries (ICI), to operate its actual businesses. ICI oversees the manufacturing and selling of prison-made goods, and it also oversees the leasing of prison space and incarcerated labor to promote private businesses. ICI is a highly profitable faction of the IDOC as it never invests in acquiring prison space or prisoners, thus operating in profits only.
Incarcerated laborers are disposable due to the overabundance of them. Any workplace injuries are uncompensated, insurance benefits are not necessary for the workforce, vacation time and sick days are nonexistent, and taxes are not filed for the workforces currently. Women may not complain of unsafe working conditions or unfair treatment because earning $1 an hour is better than ¢0.15 hour. The employers win huge on overtime hours, paying only $1.50 hourly.
IDOC policies #04-04-102, 04-04-101, and 02-02-101 reveal that IDOC stipulates incarcerated workers employed by ICI (independently or in a joint business venture partnerships) are to be paid comparable wages for the work performed, never less than state minimum wage. The policies detail deductions mandated for such earnings: federal and state taxes, 10% deducted for the state’s victim-impact fund, 40%-80% deducted for rent, 15% placed in a re-entry account, with the remaining wages going to the worker.
ICI had the name Prison Enterprise Network (PEN) fifteen years ago when it began its first joint business venture for incarcerated women laborers. A private Arizonian company leased building space inside Rockville Correctional Facility, and incarcerated laborers for its tech-trading Telemarketing company. The incarcerated were offered 40 hours a week for jobs for $1 an hour, with raises maxing out at $2.50 hourly. The company profited millions in contracts gained from the labor. The company’s website asserts paying incarcerated female workers minimum wages, and has expanded its prison-based offices to include Madison Correctional Unit II. At this location, the same pay scale exists with the exception of two work-release designated incarcerated women who can earn $15 an hour.
ICI and the private company exploit the incarcerated laborers by stripping them of the minimum wages it claims to pay them. IDOC policies and the private company claim in writing to pay the workers $7.25 hourly, yet pocket the money for profits of individuals. Over thirty people are employed at each location. Overtime work has exceeded ninety (90) hours in a week. Yet, the IDOC, ICI, and the Arizonian business is raping the incarcerated of wages. The workers are so grateful for the option to work and counter idleness, learn employable skills, and make more than ¢0.15 hourly – they don’t challenge the illegal exploitation. The telemarketing sales made by incarcerated workers do not equate to commissions, nor does the company even consider such compensation. The company misrepresents its treatment of incarcerated laborers and the wages paid to the mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, and wage-contributors.
Trying to approach Madison Correctional Unit II staff, including Warden Jan Davis, resulted in my transfer to Madison Correctional Unit I and my termination from my job. Many felons are doing stints in prison for stealing less than these state agencies and private business entities. If the Warden is this angry over my assertion of policy, what does she have to lose in paying the laborers in her prisons as the policy dictates?
Why does the private company claim to pay us minimum wages? ICI is exploiting and pimping out incarcerated females while private business partnerships turn a blind-eye.
Demand fair and equal pay for incarcerated women. The marginal population cannot speak for itself because look what happened to me. Repression and retaliation is easier for IDOC to female populations because of our lack of social networks.
-J.P.-