Arizona Department of Corrections - Arizona Correctional Industries

Arizona Correctional Industries’ mission is to develop and manage revenue-generating work activities to combat inmate idleness and develop good working habits.  ACI is also required to be financially self-sufficient. ACI became a profitable operation during the 1990s. It had an operating loss of $1 million in fiscal year 1991, but made a net income of $1.2 million in fiscal year 2001.  ACI more than tripled inmate employment during the same period.  However, sales slowed during fiscal year 2001, mainly due to a decrease in demand from the Department of Corrections.  ACI should continue and build upon recent sales and marketing improvements.  ACI should also continue to explore the potential to develop a printing certification program, in cooperation with Arizona’s printing industry. More research is needed to evaluate the costs and benefits that would be associated with such a program.