No competition

BOISE - Rep. Frank Henderson on Thursday expressed concerns that the products turned out by the state's Idaho Correctional Industries compete too much with the private sector.

Legislation by Henderson, R-Post Falls, to delete "retail or wholesale establishments," in Idaho from the outlets to which the state may sell the products made by prison inmates gained a bill introduction Thursday in the House Ways and Means Committee.

"We have no issue with sales being restricted to governments, and to provide training for inmates when they are released," Henderson said. "But, this has become a commercial venture within our correctional situation, and it needs to be examined. It has to be re-thought."

Henderson said inmate employment competing with the private sector - including in the production of printing products - "has become a problem."

"It has become obvious in the most recent years that the Idaho Correctional Industries has become a significant competitor to the private sector, as the industries produce a full range of products from furniture - like the wood furniture you see here - to printing," Henderson told the members of Ways and Means.

"Of course, we have no issue with the license plates (production)," Henderson added.

According to Henderson, six full-time salesmen are employed at the Idaho Correctional Industries.

Henderson seeks to amend the Idaho Correctional Industries Act in state code.