(#17) Design, Print, And Bind Calendars And Envelopes
Prisoners make all kinds of paper products, including firearm targets, planners, calendars, and envelopes. Another responsibility for these working inmates is paper binding, which means wrapping stacks of large paper in plastic for safe shipping.
(#6) Manufacture Electronics Components And Other Products For The US Department Of Defense
UNICOR employs roughly 20,000 inmates. Many prisoners employed by UNICOR manufacture products for the Department of Defense. These employees make electronics as well as parts used in Patriot missiles. This particular job is a bit controversial, but the controversy doesn't stop companies like Raytheon and Lockheed-Martin from capitalizing on it.
UNICOR can make up to $772 million a year, largely due to contracts with federal agencies like the Department of Defense. Of that sum, only 5% goes into the pockets of the prisoners doing the work.
(#16) Inventory And Stock Merchandise At The Prison Commissary
For those unfamiliar with day-to-day life in jail, the commissary is a prison store where inmates can buy items like food, drinks, hygienic products, and more. The commissary is often staffed by other inmates who keep the store stocked and maintain the inventory. These employees can order requested items but they are not allowed to work the registers. They are responsible for cleaning the commissary, as well, and work with the prison staff to keep it running.
These jobs can pay well relative to other duties, but inmates must work long hours in a stressful environment.
(#11) Design And Make Signs
Signage is another major industry that is largely supported by prison labor. Everything from traffic signs to construction signs and even department-specific signs are made by prisoners. Next time you're in a park and see Smokey the Bear, remember it was likely an inmate that put that together.
You can shop for UNICOR's available signage directly from their website.
(#20) Prepare And Serve Prison Food
One of the more common jobs available to inmates is kitchen work. It is difficult work, however, and there are high expectations for prison cooks. In North Carolina alone, inmates are responsible for preparing 90,000 meals a day. There are 2,000 cooks in the state working in 92 different prisons.
These meals cost about 68 cents each, so it's hard to make something satisfying on that type of budget. Sometimes these workers take on eight hour shifts for minimal pay, but someone has to feed the residents.
(#12) Craft Knickknacks To Sell At The Prison Gift Shop
San Quentin State Prison in California has its own gift shop - a rarity among penitentiaries. San Quentin is notorious for its capital punishment, but also sells charming knickknacks made by the prisoners themselves. The prison has housed some of the most infamous offenders in history including Charles Manson, Richard Ramirez, Scott Peterson, and Stanley Tookie Williams.
Items available in the shop include music boxes, money clips, t-shirts, mugs, and more.
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About This Tool
The United States has the largest number of prisoners in the world, with more than 2.12 million prisoners in prison. In order to reduce the crime rate and help prisoners find employment after they are released from prison, the US government trains different types of criminals to engage in different occupations through prison education. In the United States, more than one-third of prisons are private. Since it is not managed uniformly, the jobs of each prison are different.
The random tool lists 20 different jobs in prison that you may never know. It is difficult to imagine how prisoners make money in the prison system, and most people do not have any savings to support their daily lives when they are released.
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