SC H3174

Establishes a State Work Program within the Department of Corrections for nonviolent offenders who are physically able to participate

Requires eligible inmates sentenced to the program to serve 3-5 years working 8-hour days, 5 days a week maintaining state and county roads, mowing grass, picking up litter, and repairing potholes

Inmates who successfully complete the program receive a certificate of earned eligibility and must be granted parole release; those who refuse work or fail the program are returned to court for resentencing

Work crews limited to 5 inmates maximum and must be monitored by GPS devices

Creates misdemeanor penalties for Department of Corrections employees who mistreat work crew members (up to 2 years imprisonment) and for unauthorized persons who approach work crews (up to 30 days imprisonment)