Fast Facts
- The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) is a State-operated organization that was created by Chapter 1549, Statutes of 1982 (California Penal Code Section 2800) to provide productive work assignments for inmates in California's adult correctional institutions.
- CALPIA provides work assignments for approximately 5,900 inmates and operates over 60 service, manufacturing, and agricultural industries at 22 prisons throughout California.
- CALPIA is self-supporting and does not receive an annual appropriation from the Legislature. CALPIA's revenue comes from the sale of its products and services to governmental organizations.
- CALPIA's industries produce over 1,400 goods and services including: office furniture, clothing, food products, shoes, printing services, signs, binders, eye wear, gloves, license plates, cell equipment, and much more.
- CALPIA products and services are available to government entities, including federal, state, and local governmental agencies. The California Penal Code prohibits CALPIA from selling its products and services to the general public.
- Up to 50 percent of an inmate's wages is deducted for court-ordered restitution/fines and is transferred to the Crime Victims' Restitution Fund. In FY 2005-06, over $700,000 of CALPIA inmates' earnings was deposited. Since FY 1992-93, $6.5 million has been deposited to the Fund.
- Inmates receive wages of $.30 to $.95 per hour before deductions.
- In 2000, CALPIA began the development of the Inmate Employability Program to enhance the ability of inmates to obtain private sector jobs upon their release from prison. The program documents and certifies an inmate's skills, work experience, and positive work habits acquired while assigned to CALPIA's enterprises.
- CALPIA's job assignments are voluntary-inmates are not required to work; however, inmates are generally eager to participate, as waiting lists are common for many CALPIA assignments. The CALPIA work assignments can help inmates learn work skills and habits to become productive members of society.
- CALPIA factories operate within Federal and State health, safety, and occupational regulations.
- CALPIA programs assist inmates in learning the value of work. Many CALPIA inmate workers have never held a job or learned the value of work. CALPIA staff expect inmates to learn appropriate behavior on the job, do quality work, report to work on time, and follow occupational health and safety rules.
- The Prison Industry Board (PIB) was established to oversee the operations of CALPIA, much like a corporate board of directors. The 11-member Board sets general policy for CALPIA, oversees the performance of existing CALPIA industries, determines which new industries shall be established, approves its annual plan, and appoints and monitors the performance of the General Manager. The Board also serves as a public hearing body charged with ensuring that CALPIA enterprises do not create a substantial adverse impact on California industry.
