FPI General Overview Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Federal Prison Industries (trade name UNICOR)?
2. What is the derivation of the term "UNICOR"?
3. How much does the program cost taxpayers?
4. Please provide the most recent fiscal year-in-review summary data of FPI
1. What is Federal Prison Industries (trade name UNICOR)?
Federal Prison Industries (commonly referred to as FPI, or by its trade name UNICOR), is a wholly-owned government corporation established by Congress on June 23, 1934. Its mission is to protect society and reduce crime by preparing inmates for successful reentry through job training.
2. What is the derivation of the term "UNICOR"?
“UNICOR” is simply the trade name for Federal Prison Industries, Inc.
3.How much does the program cost taxpayers?
The corporation is self-sustaining and receives no appropriated funds for its operations. Revenues generated by sales are used to cover the program’s operational expenses. All of FPI’s revenues are eventually returned to the community.
4. Please provide a FY 2019 "year-in-review" summary of FPI
- Number of Inmate Workers: 16,430
- Percent of Eligible Population Employed (medically-able/sentenced): 7%
- Employment Goal: 33% of inmates released with 2 years or more in FPI appropriate facilities will have FPI work experience; currently 30%
- Inmate Pay Rates: 23 cents to $1.15 per hour
- Number of Factories: 62
- Percent of FPI inmates working within 3 years of release: 33%
- Percent of FPI inmates that are veterans: 7%
- Distribution of FPI Revenues: 78% toward purchase of materials/supplies from private sector vendors; 18% for staff salaries; 4% for inmate pay; 100% returned to the private sector
- FY 2019 Net Sales: $531.2 million
- FY 2019 Net Profit: $20.8 million
- FY 2019 Sales Dollars Spent on Purchases from Private Sector: $385.9 million