A Canon City inmate processes fish as part of a Colorado Correctional Industries prison-work program in 2010. (Andy Cross, Denver Post file)
Re: “Colorado prisons unhappy with Whole Foods decision not to sell prison food products,” Oct. 1 news story.
Whole Foods and other retailers have recently received a rash of unjustified criticism for purchasing goods from Colorado-based companies that utilize prison labor through Colorado Correctional Industries (CCI). So much so, in fact, that they have announced that they will no longer do business with entities that contract with CCI. However, this criticism, which alleges that prison labor is being exploited, is inflammatory, baseless and misleading.
CCI’s mission is rooted not in exploitation, but rather in seeking to train incarcerated men and women to become productive, law-abiding, and self-supporting citizens. Ultimately, the skills and work ethic that the individuals learn in these technical programs support their success upon release. CCI touts that the program substantially cuts the recidivism rate when compared to the general prison population. This is important, as approximately 97 percent of all inmates in Colorado will ultimately be released to our communities.
We all lose when we take away opportunities for offenders to learn work ethics and skills that will enable them to secure long-term employment after release from prison.
Sen. Larry Crowder, Alamosa
The writer represents Senate District 35 in the Colorado legislature and is a member of the Colorado Correctional Industries Advisory Board.
This letter was published in the Oct. 5 edition.
