NCJ Number
149784
Date Published
1993
Length
72 pages
Annotation
After reviewing current inmate work programs and hearing comments from the Department of Correction and various other State agencies and private groups, the North Carolina Use of Prison Inmates Study Committee offers recommendations on inmate work and presents three bills for consideration.
Abstract
The Committee found that incentive pay for inmates employed by Correction Enterprises has not been increased in more than 15 years. The current statute allows a maximum rate of $1.00 per day. One legislative proposal provides that the maximum rate of pay for inmates employed by prison enterprises be increased to $3.00 per day and that those wages be paid on an hourly or production-quota basis as determined by prison enterprises. According to information provided by the Director of Correction Enterprises, a study of Chase Laundry at Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro shows that a savings of $361,500 each year could be realized if the laundry were operated by inmates. The Committee recommends that the Government Performance Audit Committee evaluate the proposal, providing that current State employees of the laundry be placed in other positions. An additional related recommendation is that prison laundry services be available to county or municipally controlled hospitals that have temporary needs for outside laundry service due to the repair or replacement of their own equipment. The Committee further recommends that prison laundry services be available to hospitals or State or local governments in the instance of a declared disaster. The Committee's final recommendation is that the Department of Correction establish a pilot program for inmates that uses the Napoleon Hill Foundation's course, which is designed to develop positive mental attitudes. The recommendations are presented in the form of legislative proposals.