SB63 Summary

• Amends Alabama Code Sections 14-7-7 and 14-7-22 to authorize the Department of Corrections Commissioner to contract with private businesses for on-site prison work programs involving inmate labor.

• Participating inmates must work on a voluntary basis and earn at least the prevailing wage for similar private sector work, with the department withholding up to 40 percent of gross earnings for confinement costs and court-ordered restitution.

• Products manufactured under these contracts must be marketed exclusively by the private contracting party, not by the department itself, in compliance with the Federal Prison Industries Enhancement Act.

• Rental or lease agreements for state buildings and prison land are exempt from competitive bidding requirements under Alabama Code Chapter 16 of Title 41.

• Department of Corrections must submit annual reports to the Joint Legislative Prison Committee on prison industries and all contracts must be reviewed by the Permanent Legislative Oversight Contract Review Committee.