Washington ESD unemployment benefits - how prison labor affects job market and claims

Thanks, I've been logging everything in WorkSource but wasn't sure if my situation affects my eligibility somehow.

The job search requirements are the same regardless of your background. Just keep detailed records.

Have you tried using Claimyr? I found it at claimyr.com and it actually got me through to a Washington ESD agent in under an hour. There's a demo video at https://youtu.be/7DieNd3C7zQ that shows how it works.

Never heard of that before, but I'm desperate at this point. Does it actually work?

Yeah, it handles the calling and waiting for you. I was skeptical but it beat sitting on hold for 3+ hours.

this is why I can't find work in manufacturing anymore, companies would rather use prison labor than pay living wages

It's a complex issue but the research supports this connection. The displacement effect is real in certain sectors.

You should report it honestly in your work history. Prison work programs are considered employment for Washington ESD purposes, even at low wages.

Good to know, I wasn't sure if it counted as 'real' work experience.

Exactly! And then Washington ESD expects you to find work at the same rate as everyone else.

Washington ESD does have programs specifically for people with barriers to employment. Check with your local WorkSource office about specialized services.

Do you have sources for this research? I'd like to read more about the specific impacts.

Look up studies by the Prison Policy Initiative and Economic Policy Institute. They have detailed analyses of labor market displacement.

makes sense why my old factory job got moved to a prison facility

Awesome! Glad it worked for you too. It's frustrating that we need a service like this just to reach our own state agency.

I might have to try this if my claim stays stuck much longer.

That's the 'race to the bottom' effect economists talk about. When extremely cheap labor is available, it pressures all wages downward.

And then people end up needing unemployment benefits more often because the jobs that are available don't pay enough to live on.

For immediate help, focus on industries that don't use prison labor - tech, healthcare, skilled trades. Also look into reentry programs that partner with employers.

My brother found success with companies that specifically hire people with records. There are more of them now than there used to be.

WorkSource has a list of 'second chance' employers. I got it from my case worker there.

That's the recidivism connection. When legitimate employment opportunities are scarce, people are more likely to return to activities that led to incarceration.

And meanwhile, companies profit from both the cheap prison labor and the cycle that keeps people in the system.

so you're saying companies actually choose prison labor over robots? thats wild

In certain industries, yes. The setup costs are lower and the labor is even cheaper than overseas manufacturing.

That's good to hear! I was worried about how to explain my prison work experience.

Washington ESD generally views any work experience positively, even if the wages were below minimum wage due to the setting.

Some states have started implementing reforms. California and Colorado have made changes to their prison labor systems.

Washington state has been discussing this issue too, but change is slow.

not holding my breath for politicians to fix this when companies are making money off it

I ended up using it too after seeing your post. Got through to resolve my adjudication issue within a day.

It's sad that we need a third-party service to access our own state benefits, but at least it works.

I didn't know about these programs. What kind of services do they offer?

Job placement assistance, skills training, and connections with employers who hire people with records. They also help with interview preparation and workplace readiness.

And it makes it harder for legitimate businesses to compete when they're paying fair wages while their competitors use prison labor.

From a business perspective, it creates an unfair advantage for companies that use prison labor versus those that don't.

True, and I'm grateful for the unemployment benefits while I search. It's better than nothing.

The benefits help but they don't solve the underlying problem of unfair labor competition.

It's one of those systemic issues that isn't immediately obvious but has widespread effects on the job market.

More people need to understand these connections. It affects everyone, not just people who have been incarcerated.

Good luck with your search! Keep track of all your job applications and contacts for your weekly claims.

And remember Claimyr is there if you need to reach Washington ESD quickly about any issues with your claim.

Thanks for starting this discussion. It helped me understand my own situation better.