3. Creates the following definitions: base wage, industries director, inmate employee, and prison industry. (Section DOC 313.03.) 4. Eliminates throughout the proposed rule the involvement of the program review committee in the assignment of inmates to prison industry work.
5. Changes the emphasis of the rule chapter. The current rule chapter emphasizes the rights of inmates as “employees” of prison industries. The proposed rule chapter emphasizes that prison industries is a correctional program which gives inmates valuable employment experience.
6. Includes among the criteria for selection documented security concerns, including assaultive history, and sentence structure. (Section DOC 313.06 (2) (b) 6. and 7.) 7. Eliminates the provision regarding recommendations for extra good time under s. DOC 313.07 (7). 8. Eliminates the listing of work rules. Establishes the authority of the industries director to establish work rules applicable to inmate employees. (Section DOC 313.09.) 9. Repeals the provision which established an additional “employee” disciplinary process under s. DOC 313.09 (3). Retains the provision that inmate employees may be disciplined for violations of chapter DOC 303. Authorizes prison industries staff to take corrective action for a violation of work rules established under s. DOC 313.09, regardless of whether the violation constitutes a violation of ch. DOC 303. (Subs. DOC 313.10 (2) and (3).) 10. Expands the bases for terminating an inmate employee from employment in a prison industry to include removal from position for non-negative reasons, being a threat to the security and safety of the institution, and exceeding the period of work assignment. The department added the last criterion for removal to address the limited number of opportunities to access the prison industry program. This provision permits a durational employment limit to allow more inmates the opportunity to work in prison industry jobs. (Section DOC 313.11 (1).) 11. Simplifies the section addressing inmate compensation under the prison industry program. Eliminates the payment of double time as well as paid leave. (Section DOC 313.12.) 12. Clarifies the section addressing the work day. (Section DOC 313.13.) 13. Eliminates the provision giving priority to inmates upon transfer.
14. Eliminates the specific provision for inmates to make “employee” suggestions.
15. Changes the number of days for temporary layoff and eliminates compensation for separation. Adds removal to language in addition to termination. (Section DOC 313.16.) 16. Addresses work done by inmates on correctional farms and the dairy processing plant. (Section DOC 313.18.) F. Summary of and Comparison with Existing or Proposed Federal Regulations that are intended to address the activities to be regulated by the proposed rule
There are no federal regulations that regulate the employment of inmates in prison industries, except for prison industries programs certified by the federal private sector prison industry enhancement certification program (PSPIEC) under 18 USC 17.61 ©.
G. Comparison of similar rules in adjacent states:
1. Illinois
Prison Industries Board: Illinois does not address this issue.
Assignment to Prison Industries: In Illinois, physically capable inmates may be assigned to prison industries if they are not assigned full-time to another facility program. (20 ILAC 117.30 (b)) In Wisconsin, there is an application process which determines whether inmates will be assigned to prison industries. (DOC 313.04) In Illinois, the factors that a facility may consider in the selection process are (1) the inmate’s security level, grade classification, and adjustment to the institution, and (2) the skills needed to participate in the program. (20 ILAC 117.30 (c) (1) – (2)) In Wisconsin, the factors that a facility may consider in the selection process are (1) education, (2) attitude, (3) experience and training, (4) physical and mental abilities, (5) prior institutional employment, (6) documented security concerns, (7) the inmate’s sentence structure.
Work Times: Illinois allows each facility to establish the working hours for prison industries. (20 ILAC 117.40 (a)) Wisconsin similarly allows prison industries to establish its own working hours.
Training: Illinois rules require inmates to be trained on equipment, materials, and safety precautions related to their work. (20 ILAC 117.40 (e)) Wisconsin rules establish a probationary period in which inmates are trained to perform their work duties. Illinois requires that inmates sign acknowledgement that they received training prior to using equipment and materials at work. (20 ILAC 117.40 (e)) Wisconsin rules do not require inmates to sign acknowledgment that they had received training, however Wisconsin rules require that employee performance be evaluated during the probation period to insure that adequate training is being provided to the inmates.
Pay Rate: Illinois allows pay scales to be determined at each facility based upon effort, skill, and financial value of work performed (20 ILAC 117.40 (a)) Wisconsin requires that inmates be paid according to actual hours worked and that base wages are established by prison industries. In Illinois, inmates that participate in prison industries must contribute part of their wages (3 – 5%) to offset the cost of their incarceration. (20 ILAC 117.30 (f)) Wisconsin rules have no provisions that require inmates to offset the cost of their incarceration.
Work Conditions: Illinois rules require that the department of corrections comply with federal, state, and local health and safety standards in operating prison industries. (20 ILAC 117.40 (a)) Wisconsin rules do not contain a similar provision. Illinois rules also require that safety inspections be performed at least monthly to ensure safe workplace conditions. (20 ILAC 117.40 (b)) Wisconsin rules do not have a similar provision.
Products of Prison Industries: Illinois prohibits prison industries products from be distributed free of charge and prohibits prison industries products from being included in bartering arrangements. (20 ILAC 117.20 (d) – (e)) Wisconsin rules contain no similar provisions. Illinois requires that its state agencies and institutions purchase needed materials from the prison industries program unless the items are not available (20 ILAC 117.50 (b)) Wisconsin rules contain no similar provisions.
Specific Programs: 20 ILAC 117.70 gives Illinois prison industries the authority to conduct a recycling program, while 20 ILAC 117.80 gives Illinois prison industries the authority to establish animal training and care programs. Wisconsin rules have no similar provisions.
Prison Enhancement Certification Program: Illinois code does not address this issue.
Terminology: Illinois uses the term “Correctional Industries Program” in reference to the state program that provides inmates with work for pay. Wisconsin uses the term “prison industries” in reference to providing inmates with work for pay.
2. Iowa
Prison Industries Board: Iowa established a seven-member prison industries advisory board (ICA s. 904.803) to adopt rules and advise the state director of prison industries concerning management of prison industries (ICA s. 904.804). Wisconsin does not address this issue. Assignment to Prison Industries: Iowa code does not address this issue.
Work Times: Iowa code does not address this issue.
Training: Iowa code does not address this issue.
Pay Rate: Iowa code does not address this issue.
Work Conditions: Iowa code does not address this issue.
Products of Prison Industries: In Iowa, prison industries may sell products to state agencies and institutions, and nonprofit organizations. (ICA s. 904.815) Limited public sales of prison industries products may be made when sales to approved organizations are insufficient to continue operating the shop. (201 IAC 37.2 (4)) Wisconsin does not address this issue. Specific Programs: Iowa code does not address this issue.
Prison Enhancement Certification Program: Iowa code does not address this issue.
Terminology: Iowa uses the term “Iowa state industries” in reference to its state work program that provides inmates with work for pay. Wisconsin uses the term “prison industries” in reference to providing inmates with work for pay.
3. Michigan
Prison Industries Board: Michigan’s department of corrections has the authority to establish an advisory council for state correctional industries (MCLS s. 800.324). Wisconsin does not address this issue. Assignment to Prison Industries: Michigan code does not address this issue.
Work Times: Michigan code does not address this issue.
Training: Michigan code does not address this issue.
Pay Rate: Michigan code does not address this issue.
Work Conditions: Michigan code does not address this issue.
Products of Prison Industries: In Michigan, prison industry products may be sold to state agencies and institutions (MCLS s. 800.326 (1) (a) and also to private businesses or individuals if the products are textiles and there are no similar products manufactured by an in-state private business (MCLS s. 800.326 (1) (c)). Wisconsin rules have no similar provisions. Specific Programs: Michigan code does not address this issue.
Prison Enhancement Certification Program: MCLS s. 800.324 allows Michigan’s department of corrections to establish a private sector/prison industry enhancement certification program. DOC 313.15 governs Wisconsin’s implementation of a PS/PIEC program. In Michigan, inmates working in the PS/PIEC program must receive wages that are not less than those paid for similar work, and deductions may not exceed 80% of gross wages. (MCLS s. 800.324 (h)) In Wisconsin, inmates working in the PS/PIEC program must receive comparable wages to those paid for similar work in the private sector as well. However, Wisconsin rules do not address deductions. Terminology: Michigan uses the term “correctional industries” in reference to providing inmates with work for pay. Wisconsin uses the term “prison industries” in reference to providing inmates with work for pay.
4. Minnesota
Prison Industries Board: Minnesota code does not address this issue.
Assignment to Prison Industries: Minnesota requires all inmates to work and only illness, physical disability, or participation in an education or treatment program will excuse an inmate from this requirement. (MSA s. 243.18 (2)) Wisconsin rules have no similar provision.
