Behind Bars - Doing Press Time

But infractions, managers insist, are rare. For one thing, managers prescreen job applicants to keep out those likely to cause trouble—or use the equipment to commit crimes.

"I don't hire any forgers or counterfeiters, for obvious reasons," notes Padgett.

Also, inmates don't want to risk losing their jobs by stealing from the shop. At Juniper Valley, Wagner says, inmates can't leave until every tool is accounted for.