State and federal prison wage policies and sourcing information
This table details pay scales and wage policies that apply to incarcerated people working in state and federal prisons, along with sourcing information available as of April 10, 2017. It was originally published as an appendix to the April 10, 2017 blog post "How much do incarcerated people earn in each state?" We welcome additional or updated information.
| Regular jobs (non-industry) | Jobs in state-owned businesses ("Correctional Industries") | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pay Scale & Policy Details | Sources | Links | Pay Scale & Policy Details | Sources | Links | ||
| Alabama | Regular (non-industry) jobs are unpaid. | Nick Ramsey, "Alabama inmates stage protest over free labor system," MSNBC, April 18, 2014. See also: Mike Cason, "Alabama Department of Corrections inmates posting protest videos recorded on contraband cellphones," AL.com, January 7, 2014. Note that a third source states that some incarcerated people earn $0.17 to $0.71 per hour. (No other sources we found confirmed those wages.) See: Chris Hedges, "America's Slave Empire," Truthdig, June 21, 2015. | http://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/alabama-inmates-stage-prison-protest-free-labor http://blog.al.com/wire/2014/01/alabama_department_of_correcti_1.html http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/americas_slave_empire_20150621 | $0.25 to $0.75 per hour | "Not just license plates: 54 products Alabama prisoners get 25 to 75 cents an hour to make," Al.com, April 2, 2017 | http://www.al.com/news/index.ssf/2017/04/not_just_license_plates_produc.html | |
| Alaska | $0.30 to $1.25 per hour. Standard pay is $0.30 to $0.90 per hour for non Prisoner Employment Program (PEP) and non capital projects work. Long term construction projects approved for capital budget compensation for prisoner construction labor pay up to $0.75-$1.25 per hour. Community work projects inside or outside the institution pay up to $1.00 per hour with a maximum of $8.00 per day. | DOC Policy 812.02 | http://www.correct.state.ak.us/pnp/pdf/812.02.pdf | $0.65 to one-half of the state's minimum wage per hour (minimum wage is $9.80 as of March 22, 2017). | DOC Policy 1104.02 | http://www.correct.state.ak.us/corrections/pnp/pdf/1104.02.pdf | |
| Arizona | $0.15 to $0.50 per hour | DOC Department Order 903, Attachment A. See page 24 of PDF. | https://corrections.az.gov/sites/default/files/policies/900/0903-effective_102216.pdf | $0.20 to $0.80 per hour | DOC Department Order 903 Attachment B. See page 25 of PDF. | https://corrections.az.gov/sites/default/files/policies/900/0903-effective_102216.pdf | |
| Arkansas | Regular (non-industry) jobs are unpaid. | ADC Guide for Family and Friends. See page 14 of PDF. | http://adc.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/Friends_and_Family_Guide.pdf | Agency operated industry jobs are unpaid. | ADC 2016 Annual Report. See page 26 of PDF. See also: Kanyakrit Vongkiatkajorn, "Inmates Are Kicking Off a Nationwide Prison Strike Today," Mother Jones, September 9, 2016 | http://adc.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/2016_Annual_Report_Directors_Edits_+_BOC_Approval_2_2_2017x1Final.pdf http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2016/09/national-prison-strike-inmates |
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| California | $0.08 to $0.37 per hour for half time and partial full time employment; or $12.00 to $56.00 per month for full time employent. These are roughly equivalent rates assuming 7 hour work days and 22 days per month. | Calif. Code of Regulations Title 15 Section 3041.2. See page 35 of PDF. | http://www.cdcr.ca.gov/Regulations/Adult_Operations/docs/Title15-2016.pdf | $0.30 to $0.95 per hour | Calif. Code of Regulations Title 15 Section 8006. See page 15 of PDF. | http://pia.ca.gov/pdf/Regulation/2017/jan/Title%2015_Division%208_California%20Code%20of%20Regulations.pdf | |
| Colorado | $0.84 to $2.45 per day for full time assignments, $0.42 starting wage for half time assignments. | DOC Regulation 850-03 Attachment E. See page 18 of PDF. | https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdoc/policies-1 | ||||
| Connecticut | $0.75 to $1.75 per day; $0.30 to $1.00 per hour for commissary assignments | DOC Directive 10.1. See page 6 of PDF. See also: Jennifer Brady and Amanda Gordon, "OLR Research Report: 'Inmate Work Activities,'" May 6, 2011. | http://www.ct.gov/doc/LIB/doc/PDF./AD/ad1001.pdf https://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/rpt/2011-R-0191.htm | $0.30 to $1.50 per hour | Jennifer Brady and Amanda Gordon, "OLR Research Report: 'Inmate Work Activities,'" May 6, 2011 | https://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/rpt/2011-R-0191.htm | |
| Delaware | The policy does not specify wages. An Inmate Employment and Compensation Committee reviews inmate wage scales annually. A typical work day is 6 hours, and a typical month has 20 working days. | BOP Procedure 2.2 | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/Delaware_wages_bop_2_2.pdf | $0.25 to $2.00 per hour | Craig Anderson, "Dept. of Corrections program helps inmates acquire marketable skills" (reposted on blog) | http://delawareway.blogspot.com/2015/02/a-look-at-docs-correctional-industries.html | |
| Florida | $0 to $50 per month. Regular (non-industry) jobs are unpaid, except for center work assignments (i.e. cleaning or laundry at a Community Release Center), which are paid up to $20 per month, and canteen assignments, which are paid up to $50 per month. | DOC information via email. See also: DOC Opinion Survey, "Inmate Work and Unstructured Time" (2008), which states that most incarcerated people are not paid for work in Florida. | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/Florida_wages.pdf http://www.dc.state.fl.us/pub/survey/work.html | $0.20 to $0.55 per hour for PRIDE Enterprises assignments. | DOC information provided via email | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/Florida_wages.pdf | |
| Georgia | Regular (non-industry) jobs are unpaid. | Adam Crisp, "Georgia inmates strike in fight for pay," Times Free Press, December 14, 2010 | http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/news/story/2010/dec/14/georgia-inmates-strike-in-fight-for-pay/36956/ | Agency operated industry jobs are unpaid. | Bill Torpy, "Ga. Inmates' 'free' work has a price," The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 20, 2011 (reposted at Human Rights Defense Center) | https://www.humanrightsdefensecenter.org/action/news/2011/pln-editor-quoted-in-article-on-prison-labor-in-georgia/ | |
| Hawaii | $0.25 per hour | DOC Policy COR.14.02. See page 4 of PDF. | http://dps.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/COR.14.02.pdf | $0.50 to $2.50 per hour | HCI via email correspondence | ||
| Idaho | $0.10 to $0.90 per hour. $0.10 to $0.30 per hour for "prisons" assignments. Work camps pay $0.50 to $0.90 per hour. Community work centers pay $100 to $120 per month. Nampa Community Work Center ISSH pays $3 per day. PWCC CCU pays $70 per month. | DOC Standard Operating Procedure Control Number 611.02.01.004 Version 2.2 Appendix D. See page 9 of PDF. | https://www.idoc.idaho.gov/content/policy/618 | ||||
| Illinois | $15 to $75 per month. Most assignments are paid $0.71 to $2.15 per day ($15 to $45 monthly). Off grounds work camps pay work crews $45 to $75 monthly. A work day is at least 4 hours, and there are 21 work days per month. | DOC Administrative Directive 05.03.103A | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/Illinois_wages_05_03_103A.pdf | $0.30 to $2.25 per hour | Associated Press, "Illinois' prison work program generates $52.6 million worth of products," Journal Star, November 22, 2015 | http://www.pjstar.com/article/20151122/NEWS/151129853 | |
| Indiana | $0.12 to $0.25 per hour | DOC Policy 02-01-106. See page 18 of PDF. | http://www.in.gov/idoc/files/02-01-106_AP_Offender_Work_Assignments_and_Pay_Schedule_1-1-07.pdf | ||||
| Iowa | $0.27 to $0.68 per hour | DOC Policy OP-WI-01. See page 5 of PDF. | https://doc.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/op-wi-01_offender_work_programs.pdf | $0.58 to $0.87 per hour | DOC Policy OP-WI-01. See page 5 of PDF. | https://doc.iowa.gov/sites/default/files/op-wi-01_offender_work_programs_0.pdf | |
| Kansas | $0.60 to $1.05 per day | DOC Internal Management Policy and Procedure 10-109A. See page 4 of PDF. | https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-policies/AdultIMPP/chapter-10/10-109a/view | $0.25 to $3.00 per hour | DOC Internal Management Policy and Procedure 10-109A. See page 4 of PDF. | https://www.doc.ks.gov/kdoc-policies/AdultIMPP/chapter-10/10-109a/view | |
| Kentucky | $0.80 to $2.00 per day. 4 hour jobs are paid $0.80 per day, 8 hour jobs are paid $1.30 per day, and specialized assignments are paid $2.00 per day. Workers who qualify for time credit as well as pay are paid half the usual rate (i.e., $0.40 for 4 hour jobs, $0.65 for 8 hour jobs, and $1.00 for specialized assignments.) | DOC Policy 19.3 Attachment I. See page 4 of PDF. | http://corrections.ky.gov/communityinfo/Policies%20and%20Procedures/Documents/CH19/CPP%2019-3%20Effect%207-31-15.pdf | ||||
| Louisiana | $0.04 to $1.00 per hour. Regular (non-industry) work assignments pay up to $0.20 per hour except for Certified Academic Tutors and Certified Vocational Tutors, who can be compensated up to $1.00 per hour. | La. Revised Statute 15:873 states maximum rates. See also Katie Rose Quandt and James Ridgeway, "At Angola Prison, Getting Sick Can Be a Death Sentence," In These Times, December 20, 2016, which states minimum rate of $0.04 per hour. | https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/law.aspx?d=79438 http://inthesetimes.com/features/angola-prison-healthcare-abuse-investigation.html | Up to $0.40 per hour | La. Revised Statute 15:873 states maximum hourly rate. | https://www.legis.la.gov/legis/law.aspx?d=79438 | |
| Maine | There are no DOC policies related to financial compensation for work assignments. Each individual facility determines whether a work assignment is paid or not, and how much. | DOC via email correspondence | $1000 to $6000 per year, with 50% of workers earning between $1,000 to 2500, 25% earning $2,500 to $4,000, and 25% earning $4,000 to $5,000. Up to 3 positions per facility can earn up to $6,000 per year. | DOC Policy 25.03. See page 7 of PDF. | http://www.maine.gov/corrections/PublicInterest/policies.shtml | ||
| Maryland | $0.90 to $2.75 per day | DOC Directive OPS.245.0005 Attachment A. See page 9 of PDF. | http://itcd.dpscs.state.md.us/PIA/ShowFile.aspx?fileID=1454 | $1.25 to $5.10 per day | MCI Annual Report Fiscal Year 2011. See page 45 of PDF. Wages listed are as of 2008. This is the most recent Annual Report that publishes information on pay to incarcerated workers as of March 22, 2017. | http://dlslibrary.state.md.us/publications/Exec/DPSCS/DOC/COR3-509_2011.pdf | |
| Massachusetts | $5 to $35 per week. $5 to $10 is the standard pay range. "Special Minimum (Cadre)" assignments providing direct services (e.g., cooking, maintenance, or clerical) to pre-release state correctional institutions are paid up to $35 per week. 50% of all stipends are deducted as forced savings, except for pre-release, which are subject to 25% forced savings but also room and board deductions "as approved by the Commissioner." Skilled kitchen and maintenance workers are paid "set wages as approved by the Commisisoner." | DOC Policy 405 (103 CMR 405). See page 4 of PDF. | http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/doc/policies/405.pdf | The Commissioner may establish a graduated pay scale. The policy does not speficy the current pay scale. Full time work is 30 hours per week; part time assignments are either mornings (70 hours per month) or afternoons (50 hours per month). | DOC Policy 455.10 (103 CMR 455.10). See page 4 of PDF. | http://www.mass.gov/eopss/docs/doc/policies/455.pdf | |
| Michigan | $0.84 to $3.34 per day. The standard pay scale ranges from $0.84 to $1.54 per day after two months (there are lower "entry" rates we have not included here). Food service ranges from $0.175 to $0.325 per hour, excluding bonuses for education, program completion, and performance. Food service apprentices are paid $3.29 per day. Advanced education/training pay scale ranges from $2.62 to $3.34 after two months. A worker assigned to a position for which s/he is currently or was previously licensed by the state and has demonstrated competency within 30 days of assignment may be paid $3.04 per day. Workers assigned to the Michigan Braille Transcribing Fund are paid at a rate to be determined, not specified in this policy. A full time assignment is 6 hours per day. | DOC Policy Directive 05.02.110 Attachment A. See page 6 of PDF. | https://www.michigan.gov/documents/corrections/05_02_110_225743_7.pdf | ||||
| Minnesota | $0.25 to $2.00 per hour. Special activities (tour guides, referees, youthful offender mentors, and offender representative group members) are paid $1.00 per event. Bio-hazardous waste cleanup assignments are paid $2.00 per event. | DOC Division Directive 204.010 | http://www.doc.state.mn.us/DocPolicy2/html/DPW_Display_TOC.asp?Opt=204.010.htm | $0.50 to $2.00 per hour. The MINNCOR Bridge work release program pays $3.00 per hour. | DOC Division Directive 204.010 | http://www.doc.state.mn.us/DocPolicy2/html/DPW_Display_TOC.asp?Opt=204.010.htm | |
| Mississippi | At least some regular (non-industry) jobs are unpaid. A statewide policy was unavailable, but South Mississippi Correctional Institution reported the following non-paying work assignments as part of a legislative report: dining hall workers, tutors for literacy, chaplain workers, unit maintenance, gym workers, administrative workers, central kitchen, and infirmary workers, among others. | Miss. Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) (2013). See page 11 of PDF. | http://www.peer.ms.gov/reports/rpt571.pdf | $0.20 to $1.30 per hour | Miss. Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) (2013). See page 9 of PDF. | http://www.peer.ms.gov/reports/rpt571.pdf | |
| Missouri | $7.50 per month base pay. For workers with a high school diploma or equivalency certificate, base pay is $8.50 per month. The wage can increase depending on experience and position, but the pay scale is not specified. Work release detail assignments (e.g. jobs working for the Department of Transportation) are paid $7.50 per day, but are paid by the the communities or agencies that hire incarcerated people through a work agreement with the DOC. | DOC, via email correspondence, stated minimum wage and explained work release pay. For information on the work release program, see also: Alisa Nelson, "Missouri Department of Corrections Director touts work release program," Missourinet, September 7, 2016. | http://www.missourinet.com/2016/09/07/missouri-department-of-corrections-director-touts-work-release-program/ | $0.30 to $0.71 per hour for most assignments. Some are paid the equivalent of $7.50 per day. | DOC via email correspondence | ||
| Montana | $1.25 to $5.00 per day. Food service assignments are paid $0.35 to $0.45 per hour. A full work day is between 4 and 8 hours. | DOC Policy 5.1.1 Compensation Table | http://cor.mt.gov/Portals/104/Resources/Policy/Forms/5.1.1InmateCompTable.pdf | ||||
| Nebraska | $1.21 to $4.72 per day. Most assignments are for 7.8 hour days for 5 days per week, but some are 9.5 hour days for 4 days per week. 5 day assignments are paid $1.21 to $3.78 per day. 4 day assignments are paid $1.51 to $4.72 per day. Designated work details created with the Director's approval are paid $1.08 per hour. Health porters are paid $0.38 to $1.08 per hour. | DOC Regulation 113.17. See pages 8-9 of PDF. | https://corrections.nebraska.gov/system/files/rules_reg_files/ar_113.17.pdf | $0.38 to $1.08 per hour | DOC Regulation 113.17. See pages 8-9 of PDF. | https://corrections.nebraska.gov/system/files/rules_reg_files/ar_113.17.pdf | |
| Nevada | $0.25 to $5.15 per hour for most positions. Cardroom clerks receive a flat salary of $105 per month plus $0.10 piece rate. Other cardroom assignments pay $2-5 piece rates. | Silver State Industries Job Description and Performance Standards for Northern Nevada Correctional Center's Furniture, Upholstery, Metal and Paint Shops, Mattress Factory, and Print Shop; Lovelock Correctional Center's Garment Factory; Steward Conservation Camp's Ranch/Dairy; and Southern Desert Correctional Center's Auto Restoration Shop and Cardroom, provided by DOC via email correspondence. | |||||
| New Hampshire | $1.00 to $4.00 per day. Most assignments are for 2 to 4 hours per day and are paid $1.00 to $2.00 per day. Assignments in maintenance, laundry, and kitchen considered "essential functions" are paid $2.00 to $3.00 per shift. Up to 10 incarcerated workers across all facilities may be assigned to Maintenance as "all day workers" and paid $4.00 per day. | DOC Policy 3.01. See pages 2-3 of PDF. | http://www.nh.gov/nhdoc/policies/documents/3-01.pdf | $2.00 to $4.00 per day. Most Correctional Industries assignments are paid $2.00 to $3.00 per shift. Up to 40 incarcerated workers across all facilities may be assigned as "all day workers" and paid $4.00 per day. | DOC Policy 3.01. See pages 3-4 of PDF. | http://www.nh.gov/nhdoc/policies/documents/3-01.pdf | |
| New Jersey | $1.30 to $10.00 per day. General job assignments are paid $1.30 to $1.60 per day. "Special job assignments" are paid $1.40 to $10.00 per day; these jobs include food service, grounds and garden, maintenance, sewage treatment and disposal, work release drivers, upholstery production and instruction, paraprofessionals, skilled tradesmen, farm and livestock work, highway detail, community service projects, and commissary. Some industry (DEPTCOR) and farm operations assignments are included in this list, but the policy does not specify which assignments fall into those categories. Therefore this range may overstate the maximum daily rate paid for non-industry assignments (it is unclear whether the higher paid positions are part of DEPTCOR or not.) | DOC Standard 620. See page 4 of PDF. | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/New_Jersey_wages_Standard_620.pdf | $0.38 per hour to $10.00 per day. The East Jersey State Prison Inmate Handbook states that State Use Industries are responsible for the Industrial Office, Clothing Shop, Machine Shop, and Furniture Shops; assignments to that program are paid $0.38 to $0.58 per hour, and paraprofessionals are paid up to $0.88 per hour. DOC Standard 620 includes a list of "Special Job Assignments," which are paid $1.40 to $10.00 per day; these jobs include upholstery production and instruction, paraprofessionals, skilled tradesmen, and farm and livestock work. Some industry (DEPTCOR) and farm operations assignments (considered Industry) are included in this list, but the policy does not specify which assignments fall into those categories. Therefore this range may overstate the maximum daily rate for industry assignments. | DOC East Jersey State Prison Inmate Handbook. See pages 2-3 of PDF. See also: 1996 Auditor's report, which describes State Use Industries (DEPTCOR) and Farm Operations positions, some of which are included in the "Special Job Assignments" table in Standard 620. See also: Stephen Janis and Nadia Kanji, "Chris Christie Uses Prisoners to Fix His Office Furniture," The Nation, May 22, 2015, which also states the $1.30 to $10 per day range for all work assignments. | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/EastJerseyStatePrison_inmate_handbook_p58_62.pdf http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/legislativepub/Auditor/26506.pdf https://www.thenation.com/article/chris-christie-uses-prisoners-fix-his-office-furniture/ |
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| New Mexico | $0.10 to $1.00 per hour. 15% deducted for court-ordered restitution or (for those who were not ordered to pay restitution) Crime Victims Reparations Fund, 5% deducted for discharge money until $300 has been accrued, 30% deducted for contribution to the worker's dependent family, if applicable. Deductions are not to exceed 50% of net compensation. | DOC Policy CD-10070 Attachment CD-100702.B. See page 24 of PDF. | http://cd.nm.gov/policies/docs/CD-100700.pdf | $0.30 to $1.10 per hour | CD Policy CD-110600. See page 7 of PDF. | http://cd.nm.gov/policies/docs/CD-110600.pdf | |
| New York | $0.10 to $0.33 per hour. The work day is 6 hours. Most assignments pay $0.10 to $0.26 per hour. Grade 5 assignments are paid $2 per day ($0.3333 per hour), but a facility can have only one grade 5 assignment for every 300 incarcerated people or fraction thereof. | DOC Inmate Payroll Standards. See also: "No wage increase for dime-an-hour New York inmates," CNYCentral.com, January 25, 2013. | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/New_York_wages.pdf http://cnycentral.com/news/local/no-wage-increase-for-dime-an-hour-new-york-inmates | Average of $0.62 per hour. Food service assignments are paid according to Industry Worker pay scales of $0.16 to $0.45 per hour. Most food service assignments are paid $0.16 to $0.38 per hour; up to two food service Program Associates at each facility may be paid up to $0.45 per hour. | "No wage increase for dime-an-hour New York inmates," CNYCentral.com, January 25, 2013 states average wage. For food service wages, see: NYS DOCCS Food Service Operations Manual (Directive 4310) (2016). See pages 16-18 of PDF. | http://cnycentral.com/news/local/no-wage-increase-for-dime-an-hour-new-york-inmates http://www.doccs.ny.gov/directives/FSOM.pdf |
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| North Carolina | $0.40 to $3.00 per day. Most assignments are paid $0.40 to $1.00 per day, but with approval from the Secretary, assignments requiring special skills or training may be paid up to $3.00 per day. All assignments under the Department of Transportation inmate labor contract and Community Work Program are paid $0.70 per day. A normal work day is defined as 8 hours. | DOC Policy B.0500 | http://www.doc.state.nc.us/dop/policy_procedure_manual/b0500.pdf | $0.40 to $3.00 per day. Most assignments are paid $0.40 to $1.00 per day, but with approval from the Secretary, assignments requiring special skills or training may be paid up to $3.00 per day. All assignments under the Department of Transportation inmate labor contract and Community Work Program are paid $0.70 per day. A normal work day is defined as 8 hours. Correction Enterprises assignments are paid according to the same daily rates as regular (non-industry) assignments, but are paid as an hourly rate. | DOC Policy B.0500 | http://www.doc.state.nc.us/dop/policy_procedure_manual/b0500.pdf | |
| North Dakota | $1.55 to $7.07 per day. The work day is typically 8 hours, up to 10 hours at most. | DOCR Pay Grades 06-09-15. See also: DOCR webpage "Adult Corrections." | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/NorthDakota_wages_NDDOCR_PAY_GRADE_2015.pdf http://www.nd.gov/docr/adult/ | $0.45 to $1.69 per hour. Rough Rider Industries assignments at James River Correctional Center are paid $3.10 per day during training, then from $0.98 to $1.69 per hour. A typical work day is 8 hours, up to 10 hours at most. | DOCR Directive 5A-3. See page 5 of PDF. | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/NorthDakota_wages_CI_5A_3.pdf | |
| Ohio | $6.00 to $24 per month. Assignments pay at least $6 per month for less than 60 hours per month, at least $9 per month for 60 to 89 hours per month, at least $12 per month for 90-139 hours per month, $12 to $22 per month for at least 140 hours per month. Up to 3% of the institution's population may be paid $24 per month for full-time assignments requiring a great degree of skill or responsibility. An average month has 22 work days. | Ohio Administrative Code 5120-3-08 | http://codes.ohio.gov/oac/5120-3-08 | $0.21 to $1.23 per hour. Assignments working 6.5 hours per day, an average of 22 days per month, are paid $0.21 to $0.47 per hour. Assignments working 9 hours per day, an average of 16 days per month, are paid $1.00 to $1.23 per hour. | DOC Policy 25-OPI-11. See page 2 of PDF. | http://www.drc.ohio.gov/Portals/0/Policies/DRC%20Policies/25-OPI-11.pdf?ver=2016-09-01-142047-987 | |
| Oklahoma | $7.23 to $27.09 per month. Most regular prison jobs pay between $7.23 and $14.45 per month, but jobs that require a higher level of skill, such as cooks, bakers, mechanics, and law clerks, may earn up to $27.09 per month. $0.54 per hour "special project pay" may apply to some jobs as well. Incarcerated people can be demoted to an unpaid "Level 1" status as a disciplinary sanction. 20% of all income is put into a mandatory savings account. | DOC Policy OP-060107. See pages 7-10 of PDF. | https://www.ok.gov/doc/documents/op060107.pdf | $0 to $0.43 per hour. Correctional Industries assignments are paid $0.14 to $0.43 per hour. Agri-services assignments are paid $0 to $0.40 per hour (trainee/non-skilled are paid $0 to $20 per month; all other levels are paid on an hourly basis.) | Okla. Correctional Industries Pay Report. See page 2 of PDF. See also: Agri-Services Pay Report. See page 2 of that PDF. | https://www.ok.gov/doc/documents/080501f.pdf https://www.ok.gov/doc/documents/080502a.pdf |
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| Oregon | $8 to $82 per month. Compensation is based on the Performance Recognition and Award System (PRAS), where incarcerated people earn points for work performance, which are converted into monetary awards each month, ranging from $8 to $82. All incarcerated workers except those in minimum security are unpaid for the first 120 days for an evaluation period. If someone is removed from the work program for unsatisfactory performance at any time, or placed in segregated housing with a disciplinary sanction order, they are subject to an additional unpaid 30 day "program pass evaluation period." Disciplinary rule violations impact points; up to 100% can be deducted, depending on the level of misconduct. The work week is 40 hours. | Ore. Admin. Rule 291-077-0030 and Appendix A See also: Ore. Admin. Rule 291-077-0010. See also: DOC Handbook for Families and Friends of Adults in Custody (2014). See pages 20-21 of PDF. | http://www.oregon.gov/doc/OC/docs/rules_policies/077_attachments.pdf http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_200/oar_291/291_077.html https://www.oregon.gov/doc/docs/pdf/Handbook_for_Families_Friends_of_Inmates082014.pdf | $8 to $82 per month. Compensation is based on the Performance Recognition and Award System (PRAS), where incarcerated people earn points for work performance, which are converted into monetary awards each month, ranging from $8 to $82. Corrections Enterprises assignments are also eligible for individual meritorious awards and daily and montly team goal awards in addition to PRAS awards. All incarcerated workers except those in minimum security are unpaid for the first 120 days for an evaluation period. If someone is removed from the work program for unsatisfactory performance at any time, or placed in segregated housing with a disciplinary sanction order, they are subject to an additional unpaid 30 day "program pass evaluation period." Disciplinary rule violations impact points; up to 100% can be deducted, depending on the level of misconduct. The work week is 40 hours. | OCE Policy 03.03.02 See also: Ore. Admin. Rules 291-077-0010 and 291-077-0030. See also Ore. Admin Rule 291-077-0030 Appendix A. | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/Oregon_wages_OCE_03_03_02.pdf http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_200/oar_291/291_077.html http://www.oregon.gov/doc/OC/docs/rules_policies/077_attachments.pdf |
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| Pennsylvania | $0.19 to $1.00 per hour. Most assignments are paid $0.19 to $0.42 per hour, but Community Work Programs, Elizabethtown Culinary Academy Completion and Return to Food Service assignment, and Barber/Cosmetology details are paid $0.51 per hour. Asbestos abatement training and project assignments are paid $0.75 per hour. Asbestos Abatement Crew assignments are paid $1.00 per hour. The standard work day is 6 hours. | DOC Policy DC-ADM 816 Attachment 1-B. See page 24 of PDF. | http://www.cor.pa.gov/About%20Us/Documents/DOC%20Policies/816%20Inmate%20Compensation.pdf | $0.19 to $0.42 per hour. The standard work day is 6 hours. | DOC Policy 9.1.1 states Correctional Industries assignments are paid according to the same policy as regular (non-industry) assignments. See page 10 of PDF. See DOC Policy DC-ADM 816 Attachment 1-B for wages. See page 24 of that PDF. | http://www.cor.pa.gov/About%20Us/Documents/DOC%20Policies/9.1.1%20Correctional%20Industries.pdf http://www.cor.pa.gov/About%20Us/Documents/DOC%20Policies/816%20Inmate%20Compensation.pdf |
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| Rhode Island | $1.00 to $3.00 per day. "As an exception," a facility Warden may establish jobs paying $0.50 per day. | DOC Inmate Handbook (2007). See page 20 of PDF. | http://www.doc.ri.gov/documents/Inmate%20Handbook%20507.pdf | ||||
| South Carolina | Regular (non-industry) jobs are unpaid, with a few exceptions. If an incarcerated person was assigned to a job as of January 20, 1998, s/he continues to be paid at his/her current rate until release, provided s/he maintains his/her current status. Those not assigned to jobs on January 20, 1998, or whose current period of incarceration began after that date, are not eligible for pay for regular (non-industry) work except through the Community Work Program, where those assigned to Labor Crews "continue to earn inmate pay at their current rate of pay." The current rate of pay is not specified in the policy. Additionally, incarcerated people providing non-manufacturing or service work in a PIE cost center (e.g. janitorial, maintenance, etc.) or performing construction or installation work in a PIE or Service cost center may be paid "non minimum wage," which is not further specified in the policy. | DOC Policy ADM-15.13 | http://www.doc.sc.gov/pubweb/policy/ADM-15-13.htm1490392816763.pdf | $0.35 to $1.80 per hour. These wages apply to the Division of Industries Service Program. Wages for the Traditional Program were not specified by the source. | DOC Division of Industries web page | http://www.doc.sc.gov/pubweb/programs/pi.jsp | |
| South Dakota | $0.25 to $0.38 per hour. Most assignments are paid $0.25 per hour. An incarcerated person who was assigned a job paying more than $0.25 per hour as of December 5, 2001 may retain his/her previous wage as long as s/he remains continuously employed in the same job. Wildland Fire assignments are paid $0.38 per hour. Staff may assign incarcerated people duties without pay, and work may not be compensated due to unsatisfactory performance or as a disciplinary sanction. | DOC Policy 1.5.A.1 | https://doc.sd.gov/documents/about/policies/Inmate%20Pay.pdf | $0.25 per hour | DOC Policy 1.5.A.1 | https://doc.sd.gov/documents/about/policies/Inmate%20Pay.pdf | |
| Tennessee | $0.17 to $0.75 per hour. Most regular (non-industry) assignments are paid $0.17 to $0.59 per hour. Specialty Crews (a group of up to 15 workers assigned to provide construction skills to complete temporary projects for the DOC) earn $0.75 per hour. Full time assignments are normally 30 hours per week, but community service crews, food service, and maintenance workers may work 40 hours per week. | DOC Policy 504.04. See page 2 of PDF. | https://www.tn.gov/assets/entities/correction/attachments/504-04.pdf | ||||
| Texas | Regular (non-industry) jobs are unpaid. | "Texas Correctional Industries: Providing Useful Work Skills or Slave Labor?", Prison Legal News, August 2014 | https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2014/aug/7/texas-correctional-industries-providing-useful-work-skills-or-slave-labor/ | Agency-operated industry jobs are unpaid. | "Texas Correctional Industries: Providing Useful Work Skills or Slave Labor?", Prison Legal News, August 2014 | https://www.prisonlegalnews.org/news/2014/aug/7/texas-correctional-industries-providing-useful-work-skills-or-slave-labor/ | |
| Utah | At least $0.40 per hour | DOC Inmate Friends and Family Orientation Booklet (2015) states minimum wage. See page 11 of PDF. See also: Brian Wood, "Behind Bars: Low wages for prisoners makes inmates appreciate the little things," Standard Examiner, November 14, 2016. | https://corrections.utah.gov/images/Brooke/friendsandfamilyFebruary2015a.pdf http://www.standard.net/Opinion/2016/11/14/Behind | $0.60 to $1.75 per hour | DOC Correctional Industries Division Manual. See page 4 of PDF. | https://webapps.corrections.utah.gov/webdav_pub/G%20-%20Utah%20Correctional%20Industries%20Public%20Policy/GG03%20-%20Inmate%20Stipend%20Plan.pdf | |
| Vermont | $0.25 to $0.40 per hour. Most assignments pay no more than $0.25 per hour, but Community Service Crews performing elective, non-contractual, non-revenue producing services at the four Regional Correctional Centers can be paid up to $0.40 per hour by the sending facility. Food service assignments that work 7 days per week can be paid the same rate as Correctional Industries assignments that also work regular 7 day per week schedules (i.e., dairy farm wages). However, neither this policy nor the Correctional Industries pay scale specify what those 7-day work week wages are. | DOC Policy 394 | http://www.doc.state.vt.us/about/policies/rpd/correctional-services-301-550/390-400-programs-offender-work-programs/394%20Inmate%20Wage%20Plan.pdf | $0.25 to $1.25 per hour. Most assignments are paid $0.25 to $0.85 per hour. Mentor/Team Leaders have a special pay grade class and can make up to $1.25 per hour excluding other bonuses or incentives. | DOC CI Wage Scale 394.01 Attachment 1. See page 4 of PDF. | http://www.doc.state.vt.us/about/policies/rpd/correctional-services-301-550/390-400-programs-offender-work-programs/394.01%20VCI%20WageScale.pdf | |
| Virginia | $0.27 to $0.45 per hour. The work week is up to 30 hours according to an individual incarcerated in Virginia. | Harvey Yoder, "Va. Faces a worsening prison crisis," News Leader, June 1, 2015. An individual incarcerated in Virginia confirmed these wages and stated that non-industry assignments are for up to 30 hours per week. | http://www.newsleader.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/06/01/va-faces-worsening-prison-crisis/28256983/ | $0.55 to $0.80 per hour | Harvey Yoder, "Va. Faces a worsening prison crisis," News Leader, June 1, 2015. An incarcerated worker confirmed these wages and stated that Virginia Correctional Enterprises positions generally work at least 30 hours per week. | http://www.newsleader.com/story/opinion/columnists/2015/06/01/va-faces-worsening-prison-crisis/28256983/ | |
| Washington | Up to $55 per month | DOC Policy 700.100 states maximum wage. | http://www.doc.wa.gov/information/policies/default.aspx?show=700 | $0.70 to 2.70 per hour. Most Correctional Industries assignments are paid $0.70 to $1.70 per hour; only off-site crews are paid $1.35 to $2.70 per hour. | DOC Policy 700.400. See page 6 of PDF. | http://www.doc.wa.gov/information/policies/default.aspx?show=700 | |
| West Virginia | $6 to $81 per month. This pay scale does not apply to Work Release Centers assignments, outside work assignments (i.e. Department of Highways), or commissary assignments. | DOC Policy Directive 500.00. See page 8 of PDF. | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/WestVirginia_wages_PD_500.pdf | Prison Industries assignments do not have a uniform pay scale. Each institution or facility's Prison Industries Supervisor establishes pay scales. | DOC Policy Directive 500.00. See page 9 of PDF. | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/WestVirginia_wages_PD_500.pdf | |
| Wisconsin | $0.09 to $0.42 per hour | Memo by former DOC Secretary Gary Hamblin quoted in Tom Kertscher, "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker gave raises to working prison inmates but not to prison employees, union leader says," Politifact, August 19, 2012 | http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2012/aug/19/marty-beil/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-gave-raises-working-pri/ | $0.79 to $1.41 per hour | Legislative Fiscal Bureau 2015-17 Budget Paper 103. See page 2 of PDF. Note that this pay scale conflicts with "1 to 20 cents" stated in another source: Tom Kertscher, "Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker gave raises to working prison inmates but not to prison employees, union leader says," Politifact, August 19, 2012. | https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/misc/lfb/budget/2015_17_biennial_budget/102_budget_papers/103_administration_prison_industries_procurement_pricing.pdf http://www.politifact.com/wisconsin/statements/2012/aug/19/marty-beil/wisconsin-gov-scott-walker-gave-raises-working-pri/ |
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| Wyoming | $0.35 to $1.00 per hour | DOC Form 528 | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/Wyoming_wages_WDOC_528.pdf | $0.50 to $1.20 per hour | DOC Form 512 | https://www.prisonpolicy.org/scans/Wyoming_wages_CI_WDOC_512.pdf | |
| Federal | $0.12 to $0.40 per hour. The work day is a minimum of 7 hours. | BOP website. See also: BOP Policy 5251.06. See page 5 of PDF. | https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/work_programs.jsp https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/5251_006.pdf | $0.23 to $1.15 per hour | BOP Policy 8120.03. See page 26 of PDF. See also: BOP UNICOR website. | https://www.bop.gov/policy/progstat/8120_003.pdf https://www.bop.gov/inmates/custody_and_care/unicor_about.jsp |
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