Government drive to increase prisoner employment
PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk
28.09.2016 09:03
The government has adopted a new project aimed at increasing the employment rate among prisoners in Poland, hoping to reduce their upkeep costs and facilitate rehabilitation.
Photo: Flickr.com/Ellen Schauer
Under the new policy, a subsidy provided to private firms who employ prisoners will double from 20 percent of the wage paid to 40 percent.
Deputy Justice Minister Patryk Jaki said: “I am glad that the government has accepted our project… Work should be an important part of serving a prison sentence. This is both due to the rehabilitation effects as well as to benefit society.”
Currently some 26,000 prisoners work across Poland every day, of whom 15,500 work for free. This means that the employment rate among Polish prisoners stands at 36 percent, one of the lowest in Europe.
In comparison, some 60 percent of prisoners in both Germany and the Czech Republic are engaged in work.
A separate plan announced by the government earlier this year will see the construction of 40 factories near prisons by 2023, to be operated by prisoners. (sl/pk)
Source: PAP