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| Alabama raises rates on inmate labor |
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| Published: 03/16/2009 |
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TOM GORDON - Birmingham News The state Department of Corrections began in October 2007 charging cities, counties and other governing bodies for labor done by prisoners, such as picking up trash along highways. That price will go up by 50 percent in October as the department seeks to close a gap in funding. This year, there is a $43.3 million difference in the funding the corrections department gets from the state of Alabama and the amount it takes to run the system. The department narrows the gap by charging for inmate squad labor, raising revenue through the prison work release program and other steps. On Oct. 1, the start of fiscal 2010, the rate will increase from $10 per inmate, per day to $15. For one agency, the Alabama Department of Transportation, the rate has already more than doubled. ALDOT started paying for inmate squads in the spring of 2007, and until recently was paying $20. In February, the rate rose to $50 per inmate per day, Corrections spokesman Brian Corbett said. ALDOT officials said they understand the need for increasing the fees. "We have been talking about it," said ALDOT director Joe McInnes. "But whatever it is, it's going to be about 55 percent savings for us. It's going to be about 45 percent of what we are paying outside contractors now. Obviously they're looking for ways to increase their resources, and we need their help, and ... with this kind of savings, we think it's a good deal if we can get them to do more of this kind of work for us." Corrections Commissioner Richard Allen has estimated that the new rates will bring in about $3 million each year. "What we've been trying to do with this is ... raise revenue to meet our operational costs," Corbett said. Read more. If link has expired, check the website of the article's original news source. |
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