A new experiment in remote work … from the inside

This Planet Money episode features reporting from Maine Public Radio's Susan Sharon about an experiment in Maine prisons: allowing inmates to work remotely and earn fair market wages. The story focuses on two inmates, Darlene George and Preston Thorpe, and Commissioner of the Maine Department of Corrections, Randall Liberty. Darlene works as a grants program coordinator, while Preston is a senior-level software engineer making six figures. The episode explores the benefits of this program, including inmates' increased sense of purpose, ability to pay restitution and support their families, and reduced recidivism rates. It also addresses concerns about potential exploitation and the long-term sustainability of the program, as well as how the Department of Corrections manages the inmates' earnings, prioritizing victim restitution, court fees, child support, taxes, and room and board.