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Bill seeks to allow inmates to receive wages
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Posted on Jul 27 2023
Manny Gregory Tenorio Castro
Rep. Manny Gregory T. Castro (Ind-Saipan) has introduced a bill that seeks to authorize inmates in the Department of Corrections to be paid for work they perform while in prison.
Under Castro’s House Bill 23-64, or the “Inmate Salary Act of 2023,” inmates who do work while in prison are to be paid wages that shall not be less than $1 per hour.
The lawmaker stated in his legislation that one way to promote rehabilitation is to provide inmates with the opportunity to earn a wage for work they perform while imprisoned. He said this can help inmates develop work skills, learn financial responsibility, and build self-esteem.
Castro said such a policy could make a big difference in reducing recidivism and bringing down the incarceration rate.
Under the bill, the DOC shall establish a system for paying inmates for work they perform, subject to adequate funding. However, Castro’s bill states that this is not intended to create any entitlement or right to work for a wage and salary.
The amount of wage paid to an inmate shall be based on the type of work performed, the skill level required, and the number of hours worked.
The DOC commissioner may withhold all or part of an inmate’s wage to pay for the cost of room and board, restitution to victims of crime, fines or court costs, child support or alimony, and other expenses as authorized by the commissioner and agreed to by the inmate.
While some U.S. jurisdictions actually do not pay for inmate labor, the range for hourly rates that states authorize varies widely. Castro said some states authorize wages as low as 16 cents per hour, while others authorize as much as $2 an hour.
