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Committee advances bills to expand inmate work-release with MDOT and Delta employers; lawmakers question liability and wages
Summary
The committee advanced bills to let inmates work for MDOT and in a Delta community work‑release program, while lawmakers sought written assurances about liability, workers’ compensation, prevailing wages, and wage deductions.
Lawmakers advanced two bills to broaden inmate work-release opportunities: one to authorize inmates housed in regional jails to work for the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) on highway maintenance (mowing and litter pickup), and another to authorize a Delta work‑release program with a local economic-development foundation.
The bills aim to allow participating inmates to work in the community, earn wages at prevailing rates, build job skills, and potentially transition to MDOT employment after release. The vice chair explained that the Delta proposal is voluntary, would follow standards set by the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Prison Industry Enhancement Certification Program, and would require inmates’ written consent to specific deductions.
Committee members pressed for clarity on liability and insurance. Senator Hill asked whether state employees or contractors would cover liability and workers’ compensation after a past lawsuit involving an inmate working in a median. Chairman (unnamed) said the committee is awaiting MDOT’s input on insurance and liability arrangements. Senator Kirby observed that if MDOT pays participants directly as employees, they would likely be covered by workers’ compensation.
The bills include explicit wage and deduction frameworks discussed in committee: sponsors described a typical distribution where 50% of gross earnings are placed in a savings account available at release, 25% can be applied to fines/fees/restitution, 10% remains for the inmate’s immediate use (commissary, etc.), and 15% is retained by the regional jail for administrative and transportation costs. The Delta bill language also allows employer contributions to a victims’ compensation fund equal to between 5% and 20% of gross wages, and states that participating offenders are not eligible for unemployment compensation while incarcerated.
Members also asked whether participants would receive the MDOT hourly rate and W-2 forms; sponsors said participants would be paid the same entry-level hourly rate MDOT pays for the job and would receive W-2s. Senator Sparks pressed that the program must avoid a return to exploitative labor practices; sponsors emphasized prevailing-wage expectations and that participation is voluntary and requires facility recommendation and qualification.
The committee recorded motions to report the measures favorably and moved both bills forward. Members requested follow-up details on insurance, workers’ compensation, PERS contributions for employees who become state workers, and written confirmation that prevailing wages and withholding rules will be enforced before the bills move beyond committee.
