Dive Brief:
- An investigation by The Seattle Times uncovered a series of indiscretions stemming from a mattress recycling program by Washington Correctional Industries (CI).
- The alleged CI scam relies on prison labor to recycle mattresses at a diminished rate, nearly shutting down competitors since inmate wages are so low that they are considered illegal by regular standards in Washington state.
- According to state law, CI is not able to sell inmates' services to benefit private industry. To comply with this regulation, CI officials inked a deal with an Arizona non-profit to serve as a middleman.
Dive Insight:
CI lost money from the onset of the program, eventually culminating in a loss estimated at $1 million for the mattress recycling program, according to The Seattle Times.
Following inquiries prompted by The Seattle Times investigation, the Washington Department of Corrections began an investigation into the CI mattress recycling program. The investigation got underway in November, while the program itself ended abruptly in July. The Times began looking into the program in January.