The California Prison Industry Authority (CALPIA) is an inmate work program that provides productive job opportunities for inmates in California correctional institutions. CALPIA's primary function is to rehabilitate inmates and facilitate their successful reentry into society, which is one of the main objectives of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR). CALPIA work assignments support prison safety, help reduce violence, reimburse victims, provide productive activity for inmates, and produce quality products.

CALPIA provides work assignments for approximately 5,900 inmates and operates over 60 service, manufacturing, and agricultural industries at 22 prisons. These industries produce a variety of goods and services including: flags, coffee, shoes, printing services, signs, binders, eye wear, gloves, office furniture, license plates, clothing, cell equipment, and much more. CALPIA products and services are available to government entities, including Federal, State, and local governmental agencies.

Court-ordered restitution/fines are deducted from the wages earned by CALPIA inmates and are transferred to the Crime Victims' Restitution Fund. CALPIA inmates receive wages between $.30 to $.95 per hour, before deductions.