Code of Massachusetts Regulations
103 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTION
Title 103 CMR 455.00 - Correctional Industries
Section 455.09 - Inmate Compensation

(1) In accordance with M.G.L. c. 127, § 48A, the Commissioner is authorized, subject to appropriation from the General Fund, to establish a system of compensation for inmates of the correctional institutions of the Commonwealth who perform good and satisfactory work. The Commissioner may establish a graduated scale of compensation to be paid to inmates in accordance with their skill and industry, and the Commissioner shall establish, and may at any time amend or annul rules and regulations for carrying out the purposes of 103 CMR 455.09.

(2) Hourly wages for inmates shall be determined by the percentage of the work force and degree of skill observed by and demonstrated to the Shop Instructor or Shop Manager who reports directly to the Industries Supervisor.

(3) Full time employees are those who work all day, morning and afternoon in the Industrial Shops for no less than 30 hours a week. Part time employees are those employees who work every morning (approx. 70 hours a month) or every afternoon (approx. 50 hours a month). Where necessary and practical, evening work hours may be established and counted toward full time. Generally, only inmates working full time in Industries will be eligible for top pay grades. Inmates who are working part time will receive lower pay unless they are highly skilled and it is to Industries advantage to employ them part time at the top pay grades.

(4) Inmates working full time schedules will be entitled to compensation at time and a half for those hours worked in excess of their normal full time work day.

(5) Wage increases shall not be allowed for any period during which industrial good time is disallowed. An increase based upon actual employment may be withheld for violation of institution/shop rules, shop security, safety rules, Department rules and procedures, or operational procedures.

(6) Payment will be made for those legal holidays as defined in M.G.L. c. 4, § 7 provided that the inmate has worked their regular scheduled shift the day prior to and their regular scheduled shift the day the shop opens immediately following a holiday.

(7) Industrial good time will be given to inmates who work 80% of his or her available scheduled work during the month at the rate of ten days per month.

(8) Good time credits are normally to be awarded for satisfactory and diligent work on the basis of a full-calendar month participation.