Yes, prisoners still make license plates, but the work is now one small part of a much larger prison labor system

License plate manufacturing remains one of the most recognizable prison jobs in America, but it is no longer the dominant one. Most state prisons still operate plate shops — some have been running continuously for over a century — but they now sit alongside dozens of other prison industries: laundry operations, food service, maintenance, textile manufacturing, call centers, and agricultural work. The iconic image of prisoners stamping metal in a factory persists because it is real, but it represents only a fraction of the roughly 1.2 million incarcerated people working in U.S. prisons on any given day.

The reason license plates remain so visible is partly practical and partly historical. Plates are a tangible product that every state needs continuously, they require minimal equipment to start, and they have been made in prisons since the early 1900s. But modern prison labor has expanded far beyond manufacturing. Incarcerated workers now staff prison kitchens, clean facilities, work in prison farms, maintain equipment, and in some states, answer customer service calls for private companies or state agencies. The work is mandatory in many prisons — refusing can result in disciplinary action — and wages range from nothing to a few dollars per day depending on the state and the job.

Key Takeaways

  • License plate manufacturing still happens in most state prisons, but it is one of many prison jobs rather than the primary one.
  • Prison work assignments are often mandatory, and refusing work can result in disciplinary action including loss of privileges or solitary confinement.
  • Wages for prison work vary widely by state and job type, ranging from no pay to several dollars per day.
  • Prison industries generate revenue for states, though the amounts vary — some states report tens of millions annually from prison-made goods and services.
  • Incarcerated workers have limited legal protections; they are not covered by minimum wage laws or most labor protections that explore outside prison.

Which states still operate license plate shops

Nearly every state with a significant prison system still manufactures license plates, though the scale and visibility vary. States like Florida, Georgia, Ohio, and Texas operate large plate manufacturing operations that have been in continuous operation for decades. Some states have consolidated their plate production into one or two centralized facilities, while others distribute the work across multiple prisons. The actual number of incarcerated workers assigned to plate manufacturing has declined over time as prisons have diversified their labor operations, but the work continues because states need a steady supply of replacement plates and the work requires relatively straightforward equipment and training.

A few states have experimented with closing or reducing plate manufacturing in recent years, but most have maintained the operation. The reason is partly inertia — these programs are established and familiar — and partly because they serve a genuine state need. License plates wear out, get damaged, and need replacement constantly. A prison-based operation means the state controls the entire supply chain and avoids contracting with a private manufacturer. Some states have also found that plate manufacturing is one of the few prison industries that generates consistent revenue, though the amounts are typically modest compared to the total cost of running a prison system.

What other jobs incarcerated people do in prison

Prison work extends far beyond manufacturing. Food service is one of the largest prison job categories — most incarcerated workers who work at all are assigned to kitchen duty, serving meals to the entire prison population. Maintenance and cleaning jobs are equally common: incarcerated workers clean cells, hallways, bathrooms, and common areas, maintain plumbing and electrical systems, and handle laundry for the entire facility. These jobs are essential to prison operations and are often mandatory assignments with no option to refuse.

Beyond facility maintenance, prisons operate farms, textile shops, and call centers. Some states run agricultural operations where incarcerated workers grow food for the prison system or for sale. Textile shops produce clothing, blankets, and other fabric goods. In a smaller but growing number of states, incarcerated workers answer customer service calls for state agencies or, in a few cases, for private companies — though this practice has drawn criticism and is less common than it was a decade ago. A few prisons also operate print shops, furniture manufacturing, and vehicle maintenance facilities. The specific jobs available depend on the state, the individual prison, and the security level of the facility.

How much incarcerated workers are paid

Prison wages vary dramatically by state and job type. Some states pay nothing — incarcerated workers in those facilities work without compensation. Other states pay between 14 cents and a few dollars per hour, depending on the job and the worker's experience or job classification. A few states pay somewhat higher wages for certain jobs, but even the highest-paying prison jobs rarely exceed $5 to $10 per day. These wages are far below minimum wage and are not subject to the same labor protections that explore to workers outside prison.

The money incarcerated workers earn is often used to pay for commissary items — snacks, hygiene products, phone calls — or to contribute to restitution payments, court fines, or family support. Some states deduct portions of prison wages for room and board, further reducing what workers actually receive. The low wages reflect the fact that incarcerated workers have no bargaining power, no ability to refuse work without facing discipline, and no legal right to minimum wage or overtime pay. This is one of the most significant differences between prison labor and labor in the outside world.

Whether prison work is mandatory or voluntary

In most prisons, work assignments are mandatory. Incarcerated people are assigned to jobs based on the prison's needs, their security classification, and their physical ability. Refusing a work assignment can result in disciplinary action: loss of commissary privileges, loss of yard time, solitary confinement, or other penalties. Some prisons offer a limited choice among available jobs, but the choice is usually between assigned options rather than a genuine option to opt out entirely.

A small number of prisons or specific job categories may be voluntary, but this is not the norm. Even when a particular job is technically voluntary, the pressure to work is often significant — incarcerated people who do not work may lose access to certain privileges, may be perceived negatively by staff, or may face social pressure from other incarcerated people. The mandatory nature of prison work is one reason it is sometimes compared to forced labor, though the legal status of prison labor in the United States is distinct from slavery or forced labor as defined in international law, partly because incarceration itself is a legal sentence.

How much revenue states make from prison labor

States generate revenue from prison labor in two ways: through the sale of goods manufactured by incarcerated workers, and through the labor itself when incarcerated workers perform services that would otherwise require paid staff. The total revenue varies widely by state. Some states report tens of millions of dollars annually from prison industries, while others report much smaller amounts. Texas, for example, has reported annual revenues in the range of $100 million from its prison industries program, though this figure includes both goods sold and services provided. Other states report revenues in the single-digit millions.

These revenue figures do not represent profit — they are gross revenue before the costs of running the prison industries program are subtracted. The actual net revenue to the state is typically much smaller. Additionally, the revenue figures are often difficult to compare across states because different states count revenue differently and because some states do not publicly report detailed figures. What is clear is that prison labor generates meaningful revenue for states, which creates an economic incentive to maintain and expand prison work programs. This is one reason why prison labor has persisted and even expanded in some states despite criticism about wages and working conditions.

Legal protections for incarcerated workers

Incarcerated workers have far fewer legal protections than workers outside prison. They are not covered by the federal minimum wage law, overtime rules, or most workplace safety regulations. They cannot form unions or collectively bargain. They have limited ability to sue for workplace injuries, and in many states, they cannot sue the state for injuries that occur during prison work. This legal gap exists because incarcerated people are considered to be under state custody and control, and courts have historically been reluctant to impose labor law requirements on prisons.

Some states have begun to address these gaps in recent years. A few states have raised prison wages, improved safety standards, or created grievance procedures for workplace complaints. However, these improvements are not universal, and incarcerated workers remain among the least protected workers in America. The lack of legal protection is one reason why prison labor remains controversial — the combination of mandatory work, low or no pay, and minimal legal recourse creates a system that critics argue exploits incarcerated people, while supporters argue is a necessary part of prison operations and rehabilitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do prisoners have to work in prison?

In most prisons, work is mandatory. Incarcerated people are assigned jobs based on prison needs and their security level, and refusing work can result in disciplinary action. Some prisons may offer limited choice among available positions, but opting out entirely is usually not permitted. A small number of prisons or specific jobs may be voluntary, but this is uncommon.

Can prisoners keep the money they earn from prison work?

Incarcerated workers can keep some of the money they earn, but it is often reduced by deductions for commissary fees, restitution, court fines, or family support. The amount they actually receive depends on the state, the job, and what deductions explore. In some cases, incarcerated workers receive very little of what they earn.

Are prison-made license plates the same quality as commercial ones?

Prison-made license plates meet the same legal standards as commercially manufactured plates. They are designed to be durable and readable, and states would not use them if they did not meet safety and visibility requirements. The quality is generally comparable to plates made by private manufacturers.

What happens to the money states make from prison labor?

Revenue from prison labor goes into the state's general fund or into the corrections budget. Some states use the revenue to offset the cost of running prisons, while others use it for other state purposes. The revenue is typically modest compared to the overall cost of operating the prison system.

Can incarcerated workers sue if they are injured on the job?

Incarcerated workers have very limited ability to sue for workplace injuries. In many states, they cannot sue the state at all, and in others, they can only sue under narrow circumstances. This is one of the major legal differences between prison work and work outside prison, where workers are typically covered by workers' compensation insurance.