An Introduction to Prison Industry:

History/Background

• Ashurst-Sumners Act — 1936 law making it illegal to transport goods made with prison labor across state lines (with some exceptions).
• Dissertation on the Establishment of State Run Prison Labor Program
• US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics report on Prisoners from 1925-81
• US Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Statistics: Historical Statistics on Prisoners in State and Federal Institutions Year end 1925-86
• Vera: American History, Race, and Prison
• Capital News Service 1999 article: Maryland Prison Population Exploded in the 20th Century
• Jail and Prison Insider: Short YouTube video on the history of Maryland Correctional Enterprises
  

Maryland Correctional Enterprises

• Maryland Correctional Enterprises website
• MCE Annual Report 2024
• MCE Independent audit, 2022-2023
• MCE Independent Audit, 2024
• Comptroller of Maryland Outlining Preferred Providers
• Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services 2026FY Operating Budget Analysis

MD Legal/Legislative Info

• Title 21 State Procurement Regulations (2018). Pg. 17
• Maryland COMAR (code of maryland regulations): MCE search
• 2025 HB0350 Budget Bill Pg. 163 — Funding for MCE
• 2024 HB1151 and SB0420 — Failed bill attempting to repeal preferred provider status for MCE
• 2023 HB1123 — Failed bill attempting to mandate minimum wage for inmates as well as additional services.
• 2023 HB 1057 — Failed bill attempting to mandate a $5 per hour minimum wage for inmates
• 2021 SB 0194 — Failed bill attempting to mandate minimum wage, and repeal requirements for inmates to reimburse state from earnings.
• 2021 HB 0102 — House bill from 2021 seeking minimum wage
• ACLU Lawsuit successfully granting minimum wage to inmates working outside prison walls

Federal Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program (PIECP)

This program exempts certain certified prison work programs from normal restrictions imposed by the Ashurst-Sumners Act (restrictions on interstate sale of goods made with prison labor).

• Department of Justice, Bureau of Justice Programs website on PIECP
• Maryland/MCE Website on PIECP
• National Correctional Industries Association website on PIECP

Potential Advocacy Allies

• Towson University 2017 Protests
• University of Maryland 2024 Efforts
• Out For Justice
• We.Our.Us
• The Flowers Whiting Initiative
• ACLU of MD: Rights of People in Prisons
• Public Justice Center
• Leaders of a Beautiful Struggle
• SURJ Baltimore
• The Sentencing Project
• Baltimore Racial Justice Action
• Facing All Changes Everyday