From License Plates To Toilet Paper

Ever since I was a young boy I knew that license plates were made in prison.  However, as I grew older I wanted to know what happened when there are no license plates to make.  I found out about 10 or 15 years ago when I was introduced to the director of Iowa Prison industries (IPI), Roger Baysden.  Roger retired a few months ago, but his development of IPI has made a difference in the lives of many.

The business of manufacturing license plates in Iowa is conducted by the Iowa Prison Industries (IPI).  But IPI is much more than an occasional license plate maker.  IPI is a program within the Iowa Department of Corrections that provides inmates with meaningful jobs “to develop within those inmates willing to accept and persevere in such work;

• Positive attitudes which will enable them to eventually function as law-abiding, self-supporting members of the community;
• Good work habits that will assist them in eventually securing and holding gainful employment outside the correctional system; and
• To the extent feasible, marketable skills that can lead directly to gainful employment upon release from a correctional institution.”

I realized this week that IPI is a very misunderstood segment of the Iowa correctional system.  My realization stemmed from a very unusual bill that popped up.  The bill, House Study Bill 218 by House Committee on Government Oversight, has 4 parts to it.  The first section of the bill requires the IPI to file reports.  That’s no problem: it’s been filing reports for quite some time now.  The second section requires the IPI to receive authorization from the Legislature before spending an amount of over $250,000 for a capital expenditure.  That’s not too much of a problem – it doesn’t happen often  Section four of the bill pertains to the effective date – not a problem at all.  But section three of the bill is a bit controversial.

It seems as though a wholesaler within the state may have been upset that sales of toilet paper to state correctional institutions would be drastically reduced, taking a cut from the wholesalers’ profits.  An educated guess will tell an experienced lobbyist that this is the impetus for the bill.  The bill’s 3^rd section requires the IPI director to prepare and submit a report to the Government Oversight Committee “regarding the merits of the processing of toilet paper by IPI”.

This bill is not going to replace any Iowa jobs.  That’s because there is no Iowa manufacturer of toilet paper.  According to “Building Bridges To Success”, a Five Year Transition & Business Plan (2011-2015) prepared by Roger Baysden for IPI, the Iowa Department of Corrections “alone purchases over 1 million rolls of tissue paper a year.  Based upon market test (3 years in Missouri prison) IPI can manufacture tissue of the same or better grade of paper for about ten cents less per roll than what DOC is paying for it now.  This is a savings of about $100,000 to the state and it will add between 40-50 offender skill training opportunities.”  I believe the preparation of the report in section 3 has been completed.

Nonetheless, it was the comments of a business lobbyist that made me realize that there exists a huge misconception that inmates learn a particular skill while incarcerated; a specific skill that can be immediately transformed to an employment opportunity once released.  That’s not necessarily so.  Inmates don’t just get placed into a prison job.  They have to apply for it.  And that’s where IPI’s hidden secret lies.

Many inmates have never had the opportunity to apply for a decent job.  Often, they lack the basic skills necessary to complete an application form.  IPI assists these offenders with everything from how to dress for an interview to explaining their criminal record to a potential employer.  As they leave an institution, offenders who have participated in the IPI Program are presented with a 44-page handbook that helps them with their transition, especially as it focuses on their employment opportunities.  The former inmates leave with 1) marketable skills; 2) the development of a sound work ethic; 3) self confidence and pride of accomplishment; 4) a possible savings and family support; and 5) the handbook that will help them in their search for meaningful employment.

While incarcerated, participants have paid taxes, restitution, Victims’ Compensation, and reimbursed the General Fund of Iowa.  “IPI inmates paid more in child support in 2009 than all of the Iowa inmates combined earned in 1997.”

Here are some key points of IPI that go virtually unnoticed:

“IPI employs over six hundred offenders and generates over 25 million dollars in annual sales;

“IPI provides over 1.6 million hours of hands-on offender work skill training at no cost to the taxpayer;

“IPI receives no appropriations from the general fund [of Iowa];

“IPI hires staff and pays their salaries from the profit on sales of goods and services;

“IPI has plant operations at eight of the nine Iowa Prisons.”

Stephanie and I toured the woodworking shop of IPI inside the Iowa Penitentiary at Fort Madison.  We were in awe.  Some of the most beautiful handcrafted wood products are being produced daily.  We invite you to check into the IPI further.  Products created by IPI inmates are of high quality and virtually flawless.

Some of the products made by IPI inmates include solid hardwood desks, chairs and furniture; dolls; signs; toys; jail cells; and many other items almost too numerous to mention.  The IPI has a showroom, built and maintained without tax-payers’ dollars, located at 1445 East Grand Avenue in Des Moines.  The building is easily accessible right off I-235 on Grand between 14^th and 15^th Streets.  You may also take a quick look at IPI’s success by accessing its website at:  http://www.iaprisonind.com/

House Study Bill 218 is more than a profit loss to a toilet paper wholesaler; it’s an opportunity for education.

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