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Graham County approves five‑year extension of inmate work contract with ADOC
Summary
County managers and supervisors discussed low crew participation and a denied request to increase inmate pay before approving a five‑year extension of the existing inmate work contract (25‑013‑030) with the Arizona Department of Corrections.
County Manager Dustin Welker asked the Graham County Board of Supervisors on March 17 to approve an extension of the county’s inmate work contract, contract number 25‑013‑030, which extends the existing five‑year agreement for an additional term.
Welker told the board the county has worked with the state Department of Administration to seek a pay increase for inmates who work on county crews; the transcript records his comment that "the statute appears to let us aim up to $1.5 an hour," but the county’s request to raise pay (the transcript notes current pay at $0.50 an hour) was denied. Welker said the county hopes higher pay will attract more inmates to work crews: historically crews had 10–15 inmates, but they are currently averaging about three.
Welker said the extension keeps the county positioned to use inmate crews for parks and potentially for the highway crew if participation increases. Supervisors moved to approve the contract extension; the motion passed by voice vote.
Welker and the board said they will continue to work with the local ADOC Safford office and with state officials to seek better participation and consider future amendments if permitted.
