[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 141 (Wednesday, September 21, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1679-E1680]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      CONCERNS REGARDING THE COLLAPSE OF FEDERAL PRISON INDUSTRIES

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. FRANK R. WOLF

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 21, 2011

  Mr. WOLF. Mr. Speaker, I submit a letter that I sent to Attorney 
General Holder on the closure of additional Federal Prison Industries 
factories and warn of the gradual collapse of this important work 
program for prison inmates. I urge the attorney general to take 
immediate action to bolster the program.

                                         House of Representatives,


                                  Committee on Appropriations,

                               Washington, DC, September 20, 2011.
     Hon. Eric H. Holder, Jr.,
     Attorney General, Department of Justice, Washington, DC.
       Dear Attorney General Holder: As you know, on September 13, 
     2011, the Federal Bureau of Prisons announced the closure of 
     UNICOR operations at eleven institutions and the reduction of 
     personnel at two other institutions. These actions are 
     expected to result in the elimination of 74 staff positions 
     and 325 inmate jobs. Unfortunately, this is a result of the 
     UNICOR Board of Directors'

[[Page E1680]]

     projection that the corporation would suffer losses of $23 
     million in FY 2012 unless changes were made.
       These drastic reductions lead me to believe that you are 
     presiding over the collapse of Federal Prison Industries 
     (FPI). While I have worked to include language in the 
     Commerce, Justice, Science Appropriations bill to bolster 
     FPI, it takes more than Congressional leadership to ensure 
     that this institution will weather the challenging economic 
     climate. What is needed is strong executive leadership to 
     encourage other Federal agencies to purchase goods 
     manufactured in UNICOR facilities.
       Therefore, I ask that you lead a corresponding effort to 
     reverse this trend of downsizing at FPI. In prisons, work is 
     dignity, and it is essential for prisoners' rehabilitation 
     and successful reentry into society. Inmates need to learn 
     skills and behavior that will enable them to succeed in a job 
     outside of prison. There is no excuse for not ensuring that 
     every Federal prisoner has a job. By working with OMB and 
     other agencies, DOJ can assist in finding new or expanded 
     opportunities for FPI in Federal contracts.
       Restoring FPI should be at the center of any plan to 
     improve reentry programs for Federal prisoners. I would 
     appreciate hearing from you promptly about ways you and the 
     Department can exercise leadership within the Executive 
     Branch to restore FPI and create more meaningful work 
     opportunities for Federal inmates.

                          ____________________