2025
Sections
• Top Stories - Front Page
• National
• State and Local
• Business and Economic
• Lifestyle and Entertainment
• Sports
• Editorials
• Comments
The Not Yet Gazette is a fictional newspaper showing one possible future. The stories in the paper reflect major demographic trends projected for Minnesota.
Crime Pays for Prison Labor Broker
Business and Economic News
Melby Enterprises, a provider of temporary prison labor, posted record profits during the past quarter, according to the stockholders' report. Melby acts as the middleperson between employers who need workers and prison officials seeking work opportunities for inmates.
"Melby's prison labor efforts have helped address the growing labor shortage statewide and provided inmates with work skills that will be useful when they are released," said James Hughes, Melby's human resources director. Slow labor force growth in recent years has forced employers to become more creative in their search for workers, Hughes said. While Melby Enterprises has turned to prison labor, other companies have hired more older workers, relied more on technology, or have shipped work overseas.
Stock analyst Nicole Palmer said Melby Enterprises gained an edge on competing firms because it was the first to enter the prison labor field in a major way. Melby's biggest business is a turkey processing plant in central Minnesota, where minimum-security inmates are employed to make "Hoosegow Nuggets" and other specialized poultry products.
Melby recently expanded into the recycling business, taking advantage of new government regulations requiring a higher recyclable component in products and packaging. Inmates sort wastes for recycling at a Melby facility in Washington County.
By law, Melby must pay the state a commission on the wages paid to inmates. The company also must reimburse the state for the salaries of the state correctional officers who guard the prisoner employees. After the state gets its cut and deductions are made for court-ordered fines, restitution and child support, most inmates receive less than a minimum wage, but James Hughes says the company has no trouble recruiting workers.
"With all the crowding in prisons and the cutbacks in recreational and educational programs," he said, "a lot of these guys are really bored and appreciate the chance to earn some money for their personal needs or their families." (Trend: slower growth)