Findings of fact.

(1) It is the finding of the Legislature that correctional work programs of the Department of Corrections are uniquely different from other programs operated or conducted by other departments in that it is essential to the state that the work programs provide inmates with useful activities that can lead to meaningful employment after release in order to assist in reducing the return of inmates to the system.

(2) It is further the finding of the Legislature that the mission of a correctional work program is, in order of priority:

(a) To provide a joint effort between the department, the correctional work programs, and other vocational training programs to reinforce relevant education, training, and postrelease job placement and help reduce recommitment.

(b) To serve the security goals of the state through the reduction of idleness of inmates and the provision of an incentive for good behavior in prison.

(c) To reduce the cost of state government by operating enterprises primarily with inmate labor, which enterprises do not seek to unreasonably compete with private enterprise.

(d) To serve the rehabilitative goals of the state by duplicating, as nearly as possible, the operating activities of a free-enterprise type of profitmaking enterprise.

(3) It is further the finding of the Legislature that a program which duplicates as closely as possible free-world production and service operations in order to aid inmates in adjustment after release and to prepare inmates for gainful employment is in the best interests of the state, inmates, and the general public.