Inmates don’t exactly waste the whole day sitting around and doing nothing. They can intentionally sign up for a job or may be requested by the authorities to participate in certain tasks in return for a pay. These jobs are meant to help the people learn new skills and pass their time usefully.
Can You Work In Prison If You Want?
Well, the prison is not a vacation resort where you have the flexibility to not do anything the whole day. In most cases inmates are required to work whether they want to or not.
Some centers might have harsh living conditions and be more strict with the jobs that they assign to individuals while others can be lenient as per state laws.
The bottom line, however, is that you will be required to work but it is up to you the nature of the job that you choose. This could work to your advantage as well since a busy job guarantees the time was pass quicker and you won’t have to lurk around whole day to kill boredom.
Here Are Your Options!
The correctional facilities offer jobs to inmates that may help run the center smoothly. For example, you can participate as groundskeeper, plumber, driver, mailroom clerk, painters, etc.
These are the most common options in the jail. However, for inmates who are educated and are willing to extend a helping hand, they can contribute as teachers or librarians in correctional facilities.
Luckily, such jobs will give you access to unlimited books and you will be able to pass on the knowledge to others. As some prisoners in the facility would not be able to carry on with their education due to the sentence given, you can prove to be of great help to them.
How Well Will You Get Paid If You Opt For a Job In Prison?
Since most prisons and jails can not work if inmates don’t cater to their job, the authorities understand the importance of paying them right. However, the exact amount
that you can earn from your job would depend on the nature of your work as well as working hours.
For example, workers in food service may earn up to $8.50 per month whereas trained chefs can even cash $15 every month! Those in commissary can earn around 75 after they have proven themselves worthy of appropriate raise.
What Will Happen If You Refuse To Do a Job?
It is one thing to opt for a job in prison and another to be assigned a task by the prison authorities. In the later case, if you refuse to act accordingly, you may face serious consequences.
In fact, some state laws categorize it as “serious offense” and the degree would determine your punishment. For example, inmates with otherwise good habits may only receive a written note by the officer which is added to their disciplinary file as a warning.
In worst scenarios, the prisoners may lose certain privileges such as the luxury to watch TV or participate in art programs in prison. They may even be placed in solitary which takes away, not few but almost all, of the privileges that they had been enjoying so far.
If a day in solitary isn’t enough, some inmates may be transferred to facilities with higher-security and may also face a decrease in “good time” i.e. their time in prison would be elongated for the violation.
Take-Home Message
Prisons allow inmates to opt for a job. In fact, they assign tasks specifically so that prisoners may make some extra cash as well as facilitate daily operations within the facility. Although the jobs offered here don’t guarantee a handsome fee, they are sufficient to aid in useful purchases if need be. Inmates can even save up the money they earn to use later after their time in the center has finished.
