Industry Program

The Peumansend Creek Regional Jail operates a jail industry program known as Peumansend Creek Industries which produces goods and services for sale to local and state governmental agencies and non-profit organizations. The program employs inmates who learn job skills and earn a wage. With the income the inmate receives, he/she pays court costs, fines, and restitution as well as saving funds to assist with paying bills when released. The industry program currently consists of shoe-resoling, embroidery, silk screening, printing, banners, hygiene kits, woodworking, agriculture, and work crew operations.

Peumansend Creek Regional Jail Industries is monitored by an Advisory Board composed primarily of five non-correctional persons. Members provide advice and/or policy guidance to the Deputy Superintendent of Programs regarding the industries program. The board serves as the mechanism for Peumansend Creek Industries to maintain industry relations with industry, labor, and other relevant organizations. Members of the Advisory Board receive no compensation for their services by the Peumansend Creek Regional Jail Authority, and serve a term of two (2) years.

In January 2001, the Jail Industry Program became the first jail industry program in the United States to be accredited by the American Correctional Association. Additionally, Peumansend Creek Industries was the first correctional Industry program in the United States to become accredited under Performance Based Standards for Correctional Industries. Re-accreditation was achieved in 2004.  Prepearations are underway to recertify in 2009.

In the May/June 2003 edition of American Jails, an article featured the industries program at PCRJ.