Zachary Crockett

Appelman also says that because prisoners aren't considered employees, they aren't covered by employment protections, things like workplace safety regulations and workers' comp in case of injury. But some incarcerated workers believe that prison labor will pay off for them down the line.

Appelman also says that because prisoners aren't considered employees, they aren't covered by employment protections, things like workplace safety regulations and workers' comp in case of injury. But some incarcerated workers believe that prison labor will pay off for them down the line.

Work programs are often positioned as a solution to recidivism, the tendency of convicted criminals to reoffend. The idea is that the skills you learn on the inside will help you land on your feet once you're out. Lee Blackman of Correction Enterprises made that point during a walkthrough of the sign plant in North Carolina.

Work programs are often positioned as a solution to recidivism, the tendency of convicted criminals to reoffend. The idea is that the skills you learn on the inside will help you land on your feet once you're out. Lee Blackman of Correction Enterprises made that point during a walkthrough of the sign plant in North Carolina.

Work programs are often positioned as a solution to recidivism, the tendency of convicted criminals to reoffend. The idea is that the skills you learn on the inside will help you land on your feet once you're out. Lee Blackman of Correction Enterprises made that point during a walkthrough of the sign plant in North Carolina.

The evidence that prison labor helps incarcerated people find jobs once they're back out in the real world is mixed. Many companies won't even consider hiring people with felony convictions. And more than 60% of people who are released from prison are unemployed a year later. But it does work out for some people, including Brian Scott.

The evidence that prison labor helps incarcerated people find jobs once they're back out in the real world is mixed. Many companies won't even consider hiring people with felony convictions. And more than 60% of people who are released from prison are unemployed a year later. But it does work out for some people, including Brian Scott.

The evidence that prison labor helps incarcerated people find jobs once they're back out in the real world is mixed. Many companies won't even consider hiring people with felony convictions. And more than 60% of people who are released from prison are unemployed a year later. But it does work out for some people, including Brian Scott.

After he was released in 2021, he quickly found a civilian job in the printing industry.

After he was released in 2021, he quickly found a civilian job in the printing industry.

After he was released in 2021, he quickly found a civilian job in the printing industry.

Christopher Barnes, the incarcerated worker at the sign plant in Bunn, North Carolina, will never see that kind of paycheck. He's in prison for life with no possibility of parole. For him, the benefit of working a job in prison isn't the pay, the chance to learn new skills, or the promise of a brighter future.

Christopher Barnes, the incarcerated worker at the sign plant in Bunn, North Carolina, will never see that kind of paycheck. He's in prison for life with no possibility of parole. For him, the benefit of working a job in prison isn't the pay, the chance to learn new skills, or the promise of a brighter future.

Christopher Barnes, the incarcerated worker at the sign plant in Bunn, North Carolina, will never see that kind of paycheck. He's in prison for life with no possibility of parole. For him, the benefit of working a job in prison isn't the pay, the chance to learn new skills, or the promise of a brighter future.

It's the brief moment of respite he gets from the cell block each morning, before the machines fire up and the highway signs are cut to size.

It's the brief moment of respite he gets from the cell block each morning, before the machines fire up and the highway signs are cut to size.

It's the brief moment of respite he gets from the cell block each morning, before the machines fire up and the highway signs are cut to size.