HB30 Summary

• Authorizes the Department of Corrections Commissioner to contract with private individuals, enterprises, partnerships, or corporations to establish work-oriented rehabilitation programs within prison facilities located on department property.

• Inmates participating in private industry work programs must volunteer and earn not less than the prevailing wage for similar work in the private sector, with earnings paid directly to the department.

• Department may withhold up to 40 percent of inmate gross earnings for confinement costs and court-ordered restitution, with remaining earnings credited to the inmate's account after expenses are deducted.

• Products manufactured under private industry contracts must be marketed by the private contractor, not by the Department of Corrections, and all manufacturing programs must comply with the Federal Prison Industries Enhancement Act.

• Inmates participating in the program are not considered state employees and receive no employee benefits; the bill does not reduce prisoners allocated to two-year college training and work programs.