Newly introduced federal legislation may benefit both American prisoners and private companies.
The legislation, H.R. 3634, introduced by Congressman Bill Huizenga, Republican of Michigan, would level the playing field between government-owned UNICOR, also known as Federal Prison Industries (FPI), and private companies.
Federal law has required that government agencies buy their products from UNICOR without competitive bidding. Since December 2011, the relaxing of federal restrictions that prevented UNICOR from selling goods or services to any customers other than federal departments and agencies, UNICOR has experienced unprecedented growth.
According to company spokesperson Julie Rozier, the circumstances under which items can now be made are very limited. “If an item is being made off-shore, we can compete for that,” Rozier states.
Despite the limitations, critics complain that the changes have amounted to unfair competition because the prisoners earn as little as 23 cents to $1.15 an hour for their labor and UNICOR is not subject to the same workplace rules or minimum salaries as private companies.
Huizenga’s bill would help level the playing field by making UNICOR subject to the same rules and costs as private companies.
Federal prisoners would also benefit by their salaries being raised to the minimum wage, over time.
According to Huizenga, support for the bill has been “very bipartisan,” and has some 20 co-sponsors that include both Republicans and Democrats.
The legislation would not affect state prisons.
