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CA: Bill challenges monopoly over manufacturing prison goods

By Real Cost of Prisons Project (The Sentencing Project)

Bill challenges monopoly over prison goods Monday, Apr. 12, 2010 By Jim Sanders / The Sacramento Bee SACRAMENTO -- California prisoners, unlike law-abiding citizens, have a guaranteed market for the products they make behind bars: State agencies are required by law to buy them, even if private workers can make them cheaper or better. That monopoly is coming under fire as the state's shaky economy sparks widespread layoffs. The sale of prison goods and services has grown into a $234 million annual industry. Many small-business owners say they can beat Prison Industry Authority, potentially saving millions, and that taxpayers deserve open competition. "Everything should be on a level playing field, and the winner takes the bid," said Scott Hauge, president of Small Business California...continue to full post

Full post as published by The Real Cost of Prisons Weblog on April 13, 2010 (boomark / email).