In a time of budget cuts, cost-effectiveness is of the upmost importance to the university. The use of Iowa Prison Industries workers in the residence halls is wise not only because it helps inmates, but also because the university can benefit from their work as well.

The decision to sign a contract with the Iowa Prison Industries was not made in haste.

Two years ago, a group of students chose the furniture made by the workers over products of several other companies. Others were given a fair shot at the market and the advantages of the Prison Industries’ services and quality of their products were chosen.

The inmates later moved the furniture into Maple Hall. This initial project led to other contracts between Iowa State and the Prison Industries, such as this summer’s renovation of Wilson Hall and moving furniture into the Hawthorn Court apartments.

This partnership makes use of a resource that could otherwise go to waste. It teaches inmates – inmates of low-security prisons who are serving time for minor crimes – skills while they are incarcerated, which will make them more valuable to society after they are released. It is also a profitable venture for Iowa State because it is less expensive than having employees on payroll year-round when their services are usually only utilized during breaks.

There have not been any reports of negative incidents with the workers.

The manual labor they are doing could be done equally well by other workers, but using the inmates is the most cost-effective decision for the university.

Although inmate labor isn’t the answer for every job opening on campus, it is appropriate for these tasks.

editorialboard: Michelle Kann, Tim Paluch, Jocelyn Marcus, Zach Calef, Ruth Hitchcock, Cavan Reagan