Prison industry

The prison industry refers to the production of goods and services primarily within correctional facilities, often involving incarcerated individuals. This industry can include manufacturing, services, and agriculture, often operated by private companies under government contracts. It generates revenue and aims to reduce prison costs, but also raises concerns about exploitation, fair wages, and the incentivization of incarceration. Critics argue that it can create a profit motive that influences criminal justice policies, while supporters see it as a way to provide job opportunities and rehabilitative work for inmates.