Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that authorizes the Department of Corrections to contract with private entities to establish work-oriented rehabilitation programs for inmates.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Commissioner of the Department of Corrections to establish contracts with private entities to develop joint plants, businesses, factories, or commercial enterprises in order to implement a work-oriented rehabilitation program for inmates (Sec. 1).

• Requires the work facilities to be located on property owned or operated by the Department of Corrections (Sec. 2). 

• Specifies that the participation of any inmate in the program is voluntary and will commence only after being informed of the conditions of his or her employment (Sec. 2). 

• Requires the private entity to pay the Department of Corrections for each inmate enrolled in labor no less than the prevailing wage for work of a similar nature in the private sector (Sec. 2).

• Limits the amount of inmate earnings deducted by the Department of Corrections and deposited into the Department of Corrections Special Revenue Fund to no more than 40 percent (Sec. 2). 

• Authorizes the Department of Corrections to deposit up to an additional 40 percent of inmate earnings into a fund approved by a court of jurisdiction (Sec. 2).

• Prohibits the Department of Corrections from selling the products of prison labor (Sec. 1). 

• Requires the remainder of the inmate’s earnings to be credited to the inmate’s account to be used for expenses including, but not limited to, the following (Sec. 1):
• Initial post imprisonment living expenses;
• Restitution to victims; and
• Support for the inmate's families.

• Specifies that an inmate participating in the program is not considered an employee of the state and is not entitled to state employee benefits (Sec. 2). 

Full Bill Text