Why work?

A Study of Prison Labour in England, France and Germany.

By (author) Evelyn Shea

Book cover: Why work?

Paperback (Published)

(January 2008)

ISBN: 9783428126897

5.83 x 8.82 inches

Price: $40.00

Out of stock

Prison labour, the traditional backbone of regime
activities, has come under attack in several European countries. Workshops seem
unable to impart the skills needed for a successful integration into the labour
market, given that less than 25 per cent of inmates find stable employment upon
release. The economic performance of workshops is also decreasing; several are even
operating at a loss. The question has become: Is prison labour an inefficient and
expensive activity that should be reduced in favour of better alternatives?

Based on a field study in nine long-term establishments in England, France and
Germany, the author stresses the importance of work for the rehabilitation of inmates
and the safe management of prisons, and shows where improvements are possible. Her
balanced account of the difficulties but also of the innovative solutions proposed by
the three countries will be helpful to administrators, workshop managers, inmates and
anyone interested in prisons.

Inhalt: PART 1: The Foundations of Prison Labour:
Chapter 1: The Aims of Work in Prison: The Official Aim: Rehabilitation - Implicit
Aims - Controversial Missions - Chapter 2: The Guiding Principles: The Principle of
Normalisation - The Limits of Normalisation - PART II: The Framework of Prison
Labour: Chapter 1: The Organisation of Work: The Legal Organisation - The economic
organisation of Prison Industries - Chapter 2: The legal status of working inmates:
Refusing Employee Status - Partial Extension of Rights and Benefits - PART III: Work
and Training in Nine Prisons: Chapter 1: Nine Prisons - Nine worlds: Method of
Inquiry - The choice of establishment - The Inquiry - The French Establishments - The
German Prisons - English Prisons - Chapter 2: Prison Labour Seen From the Inmates'
Point of View: Previous Work Record and Actual Motivation - The Link between Work in
Prison and Professional Reintegration - Reform Proposals - PART IV: Challenges:
Chapter 1: Obstacles and Constraints: Material and Structural Constraints -
Constraints Linked to External Economic Transformations - The human element - Chapter
2: Difficult Reforms: Recent reform proposal - Resistance to Reforms - Conclusion -
Bibliography

  • By (author) Evelyn Shea