Denise Majette: “I rise in support of H.R. 1829 Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2003. Rehabilitation of…”

“I rise in support of H.R. 1829 Federal Prison Industries Competition in Contracting Act of 2003. Rehabilitation of prisoners is vitally important to society. However, when a government corporation becomes a profit center that is removing work from small businesses, the process needs to be reviewed and changed. That is what this legislature does. Today, FPI is the Federal Government's mandatory source for almost 200 products. That is almost 200 items that small businesses cannot make for the Federal Government. FPI has a distinct advantage over small businesses. FPI is able to pay much lower wages--$.25-$1.25 per hour, which is four to five dollars less than our current minimum wage. FPI is exempt from the often overwhelming requirements of OSHA compliance. FPI also has the advantage of borrowing funds from the U.S. Treasury to purchase equipment, pay wages and invest in expansion of facilities. Small businesses do not have that advantage--they have to go to banks to borrow money. For those prisoners who expect to return to society, rehabilitation is important and this legislation makes sure that vocational education for inmates is increased, as well as remedial education. It increases inmate access to programs that teach job-seeking skills and also gives them access to pre-release job fairs.”