All inmates are expected to maintain a regular job assignment. Many job assignments are controlled through a Performance Pay System, which provides monetary payment for work. Federal Prison Industries (FPI) has a separate pay scale. Unit Team staff members (Low and SCP) and the A&O Counselor (Medium) approve job changes and see that the changes are posted on the daily change sheet. Institutional maintenance jobs are usually the first assignment an inmate receives. These might include work in Food Service, as a unit orderly, or in a maintenance shop. FCC Lompoc also has a significant number of inmate jobs in the factory operated by FPI.

FPI employs and trains inmates through the operation of, and earnings from factories producing high-quality products and services for the Federal Government. FCC Lompoc has factories in operation which enables inmates to learn trade skills and at the same time receive gratuities. An inmate may be considered for assignment to industries at his initial classification meeting. Application for FPI employment may be attained from your Unit Team. Inmates are to apply to one specific waiting list only. Those being Electronic Cable Factory, Quality Control (Medium), Business Office (Medium), and Sign Factory (Low).

The FPI Business Office is like any other industrial center. Those assigned to the general office have the opportunity to learn clerical, accounting, and purchasing skills as well as other operations.

Trainees in this department learn quality assurance techniques sampling in processing expectation, component testing, and recognizing production problems before they reach the shipment phase. You must be a graduate of the high reliability class and be familiar with military specifications, read drawings, and blueprints, and do visual inspection in electrical and mechanical testing.

This factory produces all types and styles of signs for Federal and state government agencies. These signs are made using advanced silk screening, vinyl, and painting techniques. An inmate has an opportunity to become a highly skilled worker in all aspects of sign making.

Leisure activities and recreation programs are also supervised by the Education Department. These programs help inmates develop an individual wellness concept for participants. Programs include indoor and outdoor activities, and range from individualized arts and crafts programs to intramural team sports such as softball and volleyball. Physical fitness and weight reduction programs are also important activities for inmates and contribute to positive mental health, good interpersonal relations, and stress reduction. In addition, inmates can learn to use their free time constructively.

Hobby craft programs available to the inmate population include activities such as: painting, leather art, and woodworking. Completed projects that are authorized by the Hobby Shop Supervisor must be mailed home to one of your approved visitors, within 30 days of completion. Inmates are not allowed to have completed projects in their cells. (See Personal Property limit’s section for hobby craft project property and disposal procedures). All hobby craft’s raw materials and projects will be stored in a hobby shop locker. All projects kept in the hobby shop locker may be removed if they pose a safety, sanitation, or security hazard. Disposal of completed hobby craft work must be arranged immediately after completion. Disposal will be by mailing the project(s) to any individual approved to visit the inmate. The hobby shop supervisor will approve all such mailings.

When a waiting list exists for inmates wanting to participate in hobby crafts, inmates presently in hobby crafts will be limited to 90 days participation. After 90 days, each innate will be rotated out of hobby craft and placed on the bottom of the waiting list. During such waiting periods, the hobby shop will provide secure storage space for inmate hobby craft materials. Hobby crafts may not be sold to another inmate, staff, or the general public at this institution or by mail. To do so is a violation of Prohibited Act 408, Conducting a Business, and appropriate disciplinary action will be taken.

Musical instruments are available in the recreation area for inmates at this institution. These instruments will remain in the recreation area. Authorization of musical instruments are allowed in the housing unit, but ear phones must be utilized.