AR SB198

Amends Arkansas Code § 12-30-502 to allow inmates of both the Department of Correction and the Department of Community Correction to participate in private sector prison industry enhancement programs and have goods produced sold in the same manner as goods produced by free persons.

Requires inmates participating in private sector prison industry enhancement programs to be paid at least the state minimum wage, with minimum wage requirements exempted for hobby and craft items produced on inmates' own time with their own resources.

Amends Arkansas Code § 12-30-503 to require both the Director of the Department of Correction and Director of the Department of Community Correction to promulgate rules governing wage fund dispositions for purposes including family support, legal obligations, correctional costs, and Crime Victims Reparations Revolving Fund deposits.

Establishes that wages earned by inmates under these programs shall be set aside in a separate wage fund by the facility warden or supervisor for distribution according to director-established rules.