Prison Industry Reinvented: Inmates Master New Types of Production

New horizons of industrial activity are opening up in the penal institutions of Kazakhstan. The Penal Enforcement Committee (KUIS) has reported an expansion in the areas of inmate labor, and this is more than just an attempt to keep people busy — prison production is becoming increasingly competitive on the market. These facilities can do things others cannot.

The majority of inmates are able-bodied men who not only want to work but also have a real opportunity to earn money, pay off legal claims, and support their families.

“There are over 300 registered business entities operating in the colonies where inmates are employed. The wages start from 85,000 tenge and higher. In settlements, inmates can earn even more, especially if the work is done outside the institution,” the Committee reported.

However, inmates do not receive “cash in hand” — the funds are deposited into a personal account, from which they can transfer money to family members, pay off legal debts, or cover prison expenses.

A New Industrial Wave: From Boots to Yurts

Whereas prison labor used to be limited to metal and woodworking, the range and geography of production have significantly expanded. A vivid example is the new footwear workshop in the Zhambyl Region, where inmates manufacture men’s, women’s, and children’s shoes.

“Entrepreneurs purchased 27 specialized sewing machines. The soles are made on-site. The quality is excellent, and there is already demand for these boots,” KUIS noted.

More than 40 inmates work in the workshop. It’s not just a job, but a chance to acquire a profession that will be useful after release. Such projects are supported by the state-owned enterprise "Enbek", whose main goal is to provide employment for inmates.

A Win-Win for Business: Inmates Are Disciplined and Motivated

Cooperating with prison production is becoming increasingly attractive for businesses. KUIS emphasizes that colonies are capable of producing quality goods: violations are rare, staff turnover is minimal, and the products are in demand even beyond the region.

Across the country, inmates manufacture concrete slabs, furniture, gates, soap, pasta, sunflower oil, juices, workwear, benches for urban beautification — and even traditional Kazakh yurts.

Greenhouses, Modular Facilities, Training: Production Sites Are Being Modernized

One of the success stories is a greenhouse complex in Ekibastuz, where over 100 inmates work. They grow vegetables year-round. To address the issue of outdated production facilities, several institutions have begun constructing modern modular hangars that meet sanitary and technological standards.

“Not everyone has experience, but the main thing is the desire to work. If needed, we provide training, and people adapt quickly,” says KUIS.

Skills for the Future: Prison Production as a Second Chance

The main goal of these transformations is not merely to keep inmates occupied, but to offer them a real chance at a normal life after release. KUIS believes that a person who learns to work with metal, wood, or fabric will not be left without employment in the free world — especially since woodworking and metalworking are in demand across all regions.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/ps/press/news/details/1069688?lang=kk