Minimum wage for all inmates and residents of state correctional institutions and county jails or houses of correction and making an appropriation. (FE)
The bill amends existing statutes such as 301.30, 303.01 (4), and 303.08 (3) to define the minimum wage standards for inmates. One significant change introduced by AB816 is the removal of the clause that prevented inmate wages from being set at a rate that could cause a deficit to the operations of the correctional facilities. This change is expected to result in increased costs for the state correctional system, as it allocates substantial funding amounting to almost $60 million for the fiscal year 2023-24 and increases to over $88 million for the following fiscal year to cover the wage payments.
Assembly Bill 816 addresses the wages of inmates within state correctional institutions and county jails in Wisconsin by establishing a minimum wage that must be paid for labor performed by inmates. Under this bill, all inmates and residents engaged in labor would receive at least the wage that is set for tipped workers, currently $2.33 per hour. This legislative move is an attempt to provide fair compensation for work done by inmates and improve the financial conditions of those incarcerated.
Despite its intent to improve the financial treatment of inmates, AB816 has raised concerns among various stakeholders. Critics may argue that while the bill aims to enhance the financial dignity of incarcerated individuals, it also places significant financial burdens on the state and could lead to operational challenges within correctional facilities. Additionally, there are concerns about the adequacy of the wage set and whether it truly reflects the labor value provided by inmates, as well as the implications for the overall correctional system's management and funding.
The bill also requires financial appropriations for the Department of Corrections to ensure the necessary funding for inmate wages. Specifically, it designates funding amounts of $58,933,600 for the 2023-24 fiscal year, and $88,400,400 for the following year, alongside additional funds for inmate labor performed under the Bureau of Correctional Enterprises. These fiscal changes require legislative oversight and may prompt further discussions regarding funding allocation and the economic impacts of implementing the new wage standards.