Realizing Substantive Prison Labor Through Large-Scale Industrialization
Annual Incarceration Cost: 31 Million Won... Production Value: 1.9 Million Won
In a policy briefing released on this day, Lee said, "We will expand and industrialize correctional facilities to make prison labor more substantial, and transition to an industrial prison labor system connected to the agriculture, machinery, and digital sectors." He explained the rationale behind his pledge by stating, "Although the current imprisonment system includes forced labor, the intensity and content of the work are insufficient, leading to ongoing criticism that the punishment is ineffective and lacks rehabilitative impact."
Lee emphasized, "Currently, the low intensity and focus on simple tasks in prison labor limit its deterrent effect as a punishment and its social acceptability. Some inmates even perceive incarceration itself as a 'means of livelihood,' highlighting the disconnect between prison conditions and reality."
He also pointed out the extremely low productivity of prison labor. According to the "2024 Correctional Statistics Yearbook" published by the Ministry of Justice's Correctional Bureau, as of 2023, the annual production value of prison labor per inmate was about 1.9 million won, which is significantly lower than the state's annual average incarceration cost per inmate of approximately 31 million won.
In response, Lee pledged, "By scaling up and integrating correctional facilities, we will create work environments where advanced equipment can be introduced, and transition to a high-intensity, high-value-added prison labor system to restore the substantive punitive function and improve productivity at the same time."
He also stated, "We will transform the existing low-value, handicraft-centered labor structure into an advanced, industry-linked model involving agriculture, machinery assembly, digital work, and energy production. We will also integrate qualification training and technical education into prison labor so that inmates can acquire job skills applicable in the field after release."
A new protection mechanism for correctional officers will also be established. Lee promised, "By establishing a pre-review council, we will block repetitive and formal requests for information disclosure, and redirect a portion of prison labor profits to mental health counseling and treatment costs, thereby expanding substantial welfare benefits for correctional officers."
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