The Effect of the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program on Labor Market Outcomes of Prison Releasees

Abstract: This article examines the effects of the federal Prison Industry Enhancement Certificate Program (PIE) on unemployment duration, length of employment, and earnings of inmates released between 1996 and 2001 across 5 states. This is the first nationally representative dataset of PIE and this is the first comprehensive study to analyze the effect of this program on labor market outcomes of the inmate. The results indicate that the PIE program may significantly decrease unemployment duration and increase the length of employment duration for both men and women. In addition, the PIE program may also significantly increase employment and earnings of the former male inmate