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Officials outline Roughrider Industries operations and low prison wages; department supports bill to allow state employees to purchase products
Summary
The department described Roughrider Industries’ manufacturing and pay practices, including low resident wages and use of release‑aid accounts; staff said the department supported legislation to permit state employees to buy Roughrider products for home offices and other uses.
Department officials briefed the Senate Appropriations Committee on Roughrider Industries, the corrections‑run manufacturing arm that employs residents and sells products to state and other customers.
Michelle (Staff member, Department of Corrections) said Roughrider employs about 170 residents across facilities and produces furniture, license plates, upholstery, metal, plastic bags and other items. The department said 100% of commissary profits are used for educational programming.
Wages and release aid: the department described resident wages as low — presenters said residents typically earn about $0.98 per hour at job start and may earn up to roughly $2.00 per hour, with some programs subject to federal comparable‑wage rules (PICEP/PIECP). The department said a required 25% of each paycheck is placed into a release aid account to help individuals at release, while the remainder may be used for fines, restitution and spending accounts.
Legislative proposal: presenters said there is a bill under consideration (no bill number given) to permit state employees and others to purchase furniture directly from Roughrider Industries; the department said similar programs exist in other states and that it previously supported related legislation.
Information requests: Senators asked for Roughrider’s balance sheet and business model; Michelle said the department will provide the financial details requested by the committee.
