RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 701 (HB 817) 2018 Regular Session James
Existing law provides for the current duties of the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections,
including the collection of data to study efficacy and performance of policies. Requires the
department to make an annual report to the governor regarding work of the department,
results of inspections, and recommendations to the legislature affecting the department.
Requires the department to create training programs for inmates and offenders.
New law retains existing law and adds a requirement that the Dept. of Public Safety and
Corrections establish a system for the collection of information and data on inmates
participating in any program that offers an inmate compensation for services or work
performed, on-the-job training, or industry certification, and requires the department to report
the information and data to the legislature by July first of each year.
In this regard, new law requires the collection and reporting of information and data related
to all of the following: inmates assigned to Prison Enterprises' industrial, agricultural,
service, or other programs; inmates who are Certified Academic Tutors and Certified
Vocational Tutors; inmates assigned to a certified Private Sector/Prison Industry
Enhancement program; inmates participating in a work release program established and
administered by a sheriff; inmates participating in the work release program established and
administered by the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections; and inmates participating in a
program established and administered pursuant to the Reentry Advisory Council and
Offender Rehabilitation Workforce Development Act.
New law provides that the information and data collected shall include but not be limited to
the number of inmates participating in each program, the rate of compensation and the
amount of each inmate's wages, the amount deducted from the wages of each inmate, the
maximum number of inmates that can participate in each program, the number of inmates
that receive industry certification or credentials for participating in a program, and the cost
of obtaining training or certification by the inmate. Further requires the information to
include the amount of funds deposited into and disbursed from the Dept. of Public Safety and
Corrections, Prison Enterprises Fund.
New law authorizes the department to adopt any regulation or rule necessary to implement
the provisions of new law.
Effective August 1, 2018.
(Adds R.S. 15:827(A)(8))