by Michael N. Harrell

About the author: Michael N. Harrell is an employee of Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises (PRIDE), a private, nonprofit corporation that manages correctional industries inside Florida’s state prison system. The following viewpoint is adapted from his testimony before the House Subcommittee on Crime on October 30, 1997.

Prison Rehabilitative Industries and Diversified Enterprises, Inc. (PRIDE), headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida, is a private non-profit corporation authorized to manage and operate the state’s correctional industries inside Florida’s state prisons. PRIDE operates 57 industries in 22 correctional institutions with revenues in 1996 of $85 million. A cross-section of leaders in business, education and government are members of the corporation’s Board of Directors. Appointed by the Executive Office of the Governor, they provide leadership and oversight.

Provides Accredited Inmate Training

Prison inmates learn marketable job...