Commission proposes shifting inmate-wage split, tables change pending DOC input

At its Sept. 10 meeting, the Criminal Law and Procedure Review Commission reviewed section 80.48 and a subcommittee recommendation to revise how earnings from inmate work programs are allocated.

Mister Dexter, the commission’s executive director, summarized three statutory work programs and recommended consolidating allocations. He said the ad hoc recommendation would give "30% to the offender's account, 30% to child and or spouse's support, 20% to the criminal injuries compensation fund, and 25 20% to court ordered fines, fees, and restitution." The staff proposal also recommends removing a catch‑all phrase in the statute and replacing it with language tying discretion to the Department of Corrections' authorization.

Members pressed staff on operational details. Commissioners asked what "expenses while incarcerated" would cover and whether family payments must be routed through court orders or could be made on petition. The commission noted that Department of Corrections rules previously shared with staff allow the corrections director to withhold a portion of earnings (staff reported a withholding range of roughly 10–25%), and that DOC operational policies — including whether an inmate account allows withdrawals to pay family — must inform statutory language.

Because of those practical questions, the commission tabled changes to 80.48 and directed staff to return with DOC rules and clarifications about how work‑release accounts operate and how family payments would be implemented.