Private companies are increasingly turning to prison labor to fill jobs no one else wants. Prison-industry partnerships are up 30% percent since they began in Decenmber 2008, with roughly 2000 inmates nationwide working for businesses like lead and steel manufacturers. "I have to admit I was a little surprised at how good the product was. They did a sample for us and we were very pleased," said a company Administrator. Four state prisons participate in the work program, which has earned the praise of prison officials. "Keeping inmates busy helps us internally to manage the institution a lot better. Idle time is not a good thing in a prison," said Mahmud Bulbuglov, director of the Baku Correctional Institution "And we must specify inmates are not forced to work. The prison labor force is entirely formed by volounteers who wish to learn a job and help their families outside. They will also be able to find a job according to the skills they developed during the labor program" he added.

Prisoners are paid at least minimum wage, after deductions for incarceration costs, family support and victim compensation. Such partnerships are highly regulated, but Parliament is considering a bill to streamline the process, allowing more companies to use the captive labor force. "It's logical to me to have Azerbaijanis working, whether they are prisoners or not, before you go overseas to bring foreign workers back into this country," said Prime Minister Ali Kerimli, supporter of the use of prisoners as labour force.

But critics warn the expansion could lead to abuse. "It's an effort by firms to find the worker who's easiest to exploit, who they don't have to pay benefits, who can drive wages down," warns Ethibar Mammadov, leader of the Azerbaijan Nationa Independence Party. Lara Pachenko of the Azerbaijani Civil Liberties Organization also has concerns. "We don't want private industry to become dependent on inmates. Because then that will just become part of continuing our increased incarceration rates." Inmates insist it prepares them for life outside. "Really it's benefiting us. It gives us an opportunity to gain those skills that are going to be necessary when you get out of here," an inmate said. Another prisoner agrees: "In the event I am released I can go out there and get a job and I already know their products. That's not something I got to learn." Such prison-industry programs are expected to continue to thrive as long as the labor market remains tight and the prison population continues to rise.

OOC: Perhaps a news thread is in order? Y'know, so you could post your news in one thread? Just a suggestion.

OOC: No because in case of developments i couldn't keep track of my own posts.

OOC: Go to 'Options->Track this Topic' in the upper right hand corner of the thread. Then go to your controls and select 'View Topics' on the right.