They also learn job skills that can help them find employment when they are released from prison. Prison units that don't have enough land to be in the agricultural program still produce several million pounds of fresh vegetables each year to donate to local food banks for the needy. Prison industry products are sold to other state agencies, cities, counties and school districts. Cell restriction means remaining in the cell 24 hours a day, with no trips to the day room, commissary, or recreation yard. Meals are also eaten in the cell.
Personal property is taken away while on cell restriction.
Offenders are not on chain gangs because only low-risk offenders perform jobs or community service work outside of the prison walls. These offenders are supervised by armed correctional officers, usually on horseback. In 1997, Texas offenders completed more than three million hours of public service projects worth millions of dollars in tax savings to local governments. The service jobs range from removing asbestos in public schools to cleaning storm damage from creeks and rivers to building homes for Habitat for Humanity. Community service work not only benefits the general citizenry, but also allows offender to make restitution to the community.