“The myth of prison work. Third in a series of discussion papers on The Restorative Prison.”

Source: (2001) London: King’s College, International Centre for Prison Studies.

In theory the prison is a place where inmates engage in gainful employment a significant part of each day. This study examines that conception and determines that it is not true. Included in this study is a sketch of the history of prison as a place of work, connected at least in part with the idea of reform or rehabilitation of the offender. Detailed attention is given to issues related to training for employment and to prison industry. In short, the study finds many problematic realities that contradict the notion of gainful prison work. The study concludes with proposals for an alternative model for prison work, a model being explored in the Restorative Prison project.