CARBONDALE, Ill. (AP) — Illinois’ prison work program is responsible for generating $52.6 million worth of products and services this past fiscal year. The (Carbondale) Southern Illinoisan reports that prisoners earn on average $1.90 an hour as part of Illinois Correctional Industries. The program operates in 17 of the state’s two dozen prisons. Corrections department spokeswoman Nicole Wilson says Illinois state agencies purchase about 97 percent of the products and services. Examples of jobs include processing meat, milk and baking goods, making clothing and cleaning supplies and building furniture for university residence halls and offices.

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