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“CONCERNS REGARDING THE COLLAPSE OF FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Justice was published in the Extensions of Remarks section on pages E1679-E1680 on Sept. 21, 2011.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
CONCERNS REGARDING THE COLLAPSE OF FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES
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HON. FRANK R. WOLF
of virginia
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I submit a letter that I sent to Attorney General Holder on the closure of additional Federal Prison Industries factories and warn of the gradual collapse of this important work program for prison inmates. I urge the attorney general to take immediate action to bolster the program.
House of Representatives,
Committee on Appropriations,
Washington, DC, September 20, 2011.Hon. Eric H. Holder, Jr.,Attorney General, Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
Dear Attorney General Holder: As you know, on September 13, 2011, the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced the closure of UNICOR operations at eleven institutions and the reduction of personnel at two other institutions. These actions are expected to result in the elimination of 74 staff positions and 325 inmate jobs. Unfortunately, this is a result of the UNICOR Board of Directors' projection that the corporation would suffer losses of $23 million in FY 2012 unless changes were made.
These drastic reductions lead me to believe that you are presiding over the collapse of Federal Prison Industries
(FPI). While I have worked to include language in the Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill to bolster FPI, it takes more than Congressional leadership to ensure that this institution will weather the challenging economic climate. What is needed is strong executive leadership to encourage other Federal agencies to purchase goods manufactured in UNICOR facilities.
Therefore, I ask that you lead a corresponding effort to reverse this trend of downsizing at FPI. In prisons, work is dignity, and it is essential for prisoners' rehabilitation and successful reentry into society. Inmates need to learn skills and behavior that will enable them to succeed in a job outside of prison. There is no excuse for not ensuring that every Federal prisoner has a job. By working with OMB and other agencies, DOJ can assist in finding new or expanded opportunities for FPI in Federal contracts.
Restoring FPI should be at the center of any plan to improve reentry programs for Federal prisoners. I would appreciate hearing from you promptly about ways you and the Department can exercise leadership within the Executive Branch to restore FPI and create more meaningful work opportunities for Federal inmates.
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