Prison Industries Enhancement Program (P.I.E.)

Investigate the State of Florida 
Prison Industries Enhancement (P.I.E.) 
Private Sector Partnership Program

This federally authorized state program has thousands of motivated inmate workers and industrial space at some of the state's major correctional institutions.

The PIE Certification Program was created by Congress in 1979 to encourage states and units of local government to establish employment opportunities for prisoners that approximate private sector work opportunities. The program is designed to place inmates in a realistic working environment, pay them the local prevailing wage for similar work, and enable them to acquire marketable skills to increase their potential for successful rehabilitation and meaningful employment upon release.

Complying with PIE requirements is challenging, but many jurisdictions and private companies have found it well worth the effort.

The Private Sector/Prison Industry Enhancement (PIE) Certification Program exempts departments of corrections at the state and local level from normal restrictions on the sale of prisoner-made goods in interstate commerce. In addition, it lifts existing restrictions on certified state and local corrections departments and permits them to sell prisoner-made goods to the Federal government in amounts exceeding the $10,000 maximum normally imposed on such transactions.

Correctional industries that serve private sector customers are expanding and have provided economic and operational benefits at the state and federal levels for many years.

Program Benefits

The PIE Certification Program allows private industry to establish joint ventures with public agencies to use inmate labor to produce goods for entry into private sector interstate commerce, and to sell to the federal government in contracts exceeding $10,000. The program is beneficial for all:

       For the private sector, the program provides a stable and readily available workforce. In addition, PRIDE Enterprises may have manufacturing space and other overhead items available to private sector companies involved in the program.

       For the corrections administrator, the program is a cost-effective way to occupy a portion of the ever-growing offender/inmate population.

       For the prisoner, the program offers a chance to work to meet financial obligations, to increase job skills, and thus potentially increase the likelihood of meaningful employment upon release from incarceration.

       For the public, because of inmate worker contributions to room and board, family support, victims' compensation, and taxes, the program is a way to reduce the escalating cost of crime.

The PIE Certification Program has three primary purposes:

       To create a "level playing field" for all stakeholders; whereby private companies can have access to a highly motivated dependable inmate workforce to which they can possibly outsource production processes; and

       To generate products and services that enable prisoners to make a contribution to society, help offset the cost of their incarceration, compensate crime victims, and provide family support; and

       To provide a means of reducing prison idleness, increasing inmate job skills, and improving the prospects for a successful inmate transition to the community upon release.

Program Criteria

There are several mandatory criteria for PIE program participation:

1.      Inmates must be paid at a rate that is not less than that paid for similar work in the locality as determined by the state Department of Economic Security or its equivalent; 

2.      Written assurances must document that non-inmate workers will not be displaced or severely impacted by the introduction of the PIE program;

3.      Benefits typically made available to non-inmate workers by the state or federal governments must be made available to inmate workers, including workers' compensation.

4.      Inmate participation must be voluntary;

5.      Victim compensation program contributions must be from 5% to 20% of PIE gross wages; and

6.      Organized labor and local private industry must be consulted before startup.

PRIDE Enterprises has been authorized by State Law to hold the P.I.E. Program Certificate for the State of Florida. The following is a list of prison industries in Florida that are currently operating under the P.I.E. Program. For more information about the program e-mail Carol Tortarelli at ctortarelli@pride-enterprises.org 

Industry / Company Name

Location*

Product / Process

P.I.E. Model Type

Paint and Coatings

Customer

Union C.I.

All types of metal fabrication.

Customer

Polk C.I. & Sumter C.I.

Office Furniture, seating and components for furniture

Customer

Union C.I.

Customer

Avon Park C.I.

Chemicals

Customer

Union C.I.

Dental Lab Services

Customer

Calhoun C.I., Sumter C.I., Cross City C.I., & Appalachee C.I.

Printing

Customer

Cross City C.I.

Indoor and Exterior Signage

Customer

Marion C.I.(2) Lawtey C.I. & New River C.I.

Cut & Sew Manufacturing & Outsourcing services

Customer

Marion C.I.

Corrugated Boxes

Customer

*C.I. : Correctional Institution