Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(1) To expand
inmate employment opportunities, the department will seek to enter into a joint
employment venture(s) with the private sector. These ventures can only be
accomplished through approval by the Private Sector/Prison Industry Enhancement
Certification Program, which is administered through the Federal Bureau of
Justice Assistance. This procedure will encompass all administrative criteria
for participation in that program.
(A)
Authority to Contract with Private Sector. Subject to provisions of section
217.090,
RSMo, the department director has the authority to determine whether certain
governmental, private or not-for-profit activities could be conducted on the
grounds of an institution while being compatible with the services of that
facility.
(B) Lease of
Building/Land.
1. Subject to provisions of
section
217.090,
RSMo, the director may lease space and/or one (1) or more buildings or portions
of buildings on the grounds of any correctional institution, together with the
real estate needed for reasonable access to and egress from the leased
premises, to a private individual, corporation, partnership or other lawful
entity for the purpose of establishing and operating a business
enterprise.
2. The term of the
lease is to be determined by the director with the approval of the Missouri
Correctional Industries Advisory Board and the Joint Committee on Correctional
Institutions and Problems. The enter-prise(s) at all times will observe the
practices and procedures regarding security as the lease may specify or as the
facility superintendent may temporarily stipulate during periods of emergency.
The enterprise shall be deemed a private enterprise subject to all federal and
state laws governing the operation of similar private business enterprises, as
specified by the authorized contract.
(C) Employment of Inmates.
1. Upon the approval of the director, any
lessee operating this enterprise may employ and discharge from employment
selected inmates of the correctional institution where the enterprise is
operated or from other institutions in close proximity.
2. Inmate participation in these operations
is strictly voluntary. Inmates assigned to an enterprise are subject to all
departmental and divisional rules in addition to rules promulgated by the
authorized contractor. Inmate workers will agree in advance to wage deductions
and all other financial arrangements.
3. Inmates employed in these operations will
be covered by Workers' Compensation insurance, specified in the contract as a
responsibility of the authorized contractor.
(D) Wages.
1. The department director will obtain
written assurances from the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial
Relations that inmate worker compensation plans, including wages, bonus and
piece work rates are comparable to wages paid for work of a similar nature in
the locality in which the work is performed. In the absence of work of a
similar nature, inmate compensation from wages or piece rates may not be less
than the federal minimum wage.
2.
The department director will obtain written assurances from the Missouri
Department of Labor and Industrial Relations which stipulate that paid inmate
employment will not result in displacement of employed workers, be applied in
skills, crafts or trades in which there is a surplus of available gainful labor
in the locality or impair existing contracts for services.
(E) Deduction from Wages.
1. Subject to the provisions of section
217.255,
RSMo, the department has the authority to pay into the Crime Victims
Compensation Fund and the fund has the authority to accept deductions from an
inmate's compensation. Inmates assigned to an enterprise for employment
purposes shall be required to pay a percentage of his/her wages as established
by the department director of not less than five percent (5%) nor more than
twenty percent (20%) of gross wages to the Crime Victims Compensation Fund,
section
595.045,
RSMo.
2. Subject to the provisions
of section
217.260(3),
RSMo, as provided by division rule, upon
consent of the inmate, the director may permit inmate earnings to be used for
the support of the inmate's family or other rightful dependents. The director
will determine reasonable deductions from wages to include room and board;
federal, state and Social Security taxes; and family support. All deductions
must not total more than eighty percent (80%) of gross wages. Provisions of the
Fair Labor Standards Act shall apply to contractual inmate workers.
(F) Consultation with Missouri
Correctional Industries Advisory Board subject to section
217.550,
RSMo, consultation with representatives of the labor unions and the private
sector will be accomplished through a review and approval of the proposed
operations with the Missouri Correctional Industries Advisory Board.
*Original authority: 217.040, RSMo 1982; 217.090, RSMo
1982; 217.550, RSMo 1982; and 595.045, RSMo 1981, amended 1982, 1984, 1985,
1986, 1988.