Why Work While Incarcerated? Inmate Perceptions on Prison Industries Employment

Working Behind Bars: Employed Prisoners' Perception of Professional Training and Employment in Prison

“…According to some interviewees employment has a positive effect on their social image as well as their self-image. Similar findings emerge from the research of Richmond (2014), showing that over time, employed prisoners developed a renewed self-esteem which had no doubt been dealt a blow on their entry into prison, while also forming positive social relationships with others. Employment provides prisoners with a focused goal (Laub & Sampson, 2003), resulting in a lower likelihood of their engaging in alternative negative activity during their stay in prison.…”

“…According to Prison Service employment officers the areas in which vocational training is provided in prisons (Kashi, Kaplansky & Liran, 2015) are selected on the basis of a survey of professions in demand in the job market, conducted each year by the Ministry of Labour and Welfare. A similar claim was made by participants in the research carried out by Richmond (2014): apart from the satisfaction they felt with the employment program in prison and its advantages, they complained about the disconnection between the training they received in prison and the job opportunities in the community.…”

“…The joint activity, conducted on a daily basis, in an environment that is pleasant and free of violence allows them to establish positive social contacts. Some feel that the interpersonal relationships formed in the workplace may be likened to those existing with family members (Richmond, 2014). These relationships earn them social esteem that has no bearing on their criminality, enabling them to a certain extent to restore their self-image (Zamble & Porporino, 1998).…”

“…Employment in enterprises leads to a significant change in routine activities and serves as a "place for keeping one's identity". The prisoners feel like regular human beings once again rather than inmates (Fabrice, 2010;Richmond, 2014). Employment also leads to a change for the better in behaviour and attitude towards the wardens (Richmond, 2014).…”

“…The prisoners feel like regular human beings once again rather than inmates (Fabrice, 2010;Richmond, 2014). Employment also leads to a change for the better in behaviour and attitude towards the wardens (Richmond, 2014). An employment framework appears to provide an opportunity to narrow the gap between the prisoners and the staff and temper the mutual hostility (Goffman, 1961).…”