Requiring inmates to be paid the Iowa minimum wage for labor performed in or while under the custody of an institution under the control of the Iowa department of corrections

This bill requires inmates to be paid the Iowa minimum wage for labor performed in or while under the custody of an institution under the control of the Iowa department of corrections. Current law provides that the director of the department of corrections may when practicable pay the inmate an allowance as the director deems proper in view of the circumstances, and in view of the cost attending the maintenance of the inmate. The allowance is a gratuitous payment and is not a wage arising out of an employment relationship. The payment shall not exceed the amount paid to free labor for a like or equivalent service.1(1)(b).701 and for deposit of moneys sent to the inmate from a source other than the department of corrections. The director may deduct up to percent of the amount of the wage, to be deposited into the inmate savings fund. The director may also deduct from an inmate account any amount sent to the inmate from a source other than the department of corrections for deposit in the inmate savings fund until the amount in the fund equals the amount due the inmate upon discharge, parole, or placement on work release. The director shall deduct from the inmate account the following: an amount the inmate is legally obligated to pay for child support; an amount established by the inmate’s restitution plan of payment; an amount sufficient to pay all or part of any judgment against the inmate, including but not limited to judgments for taxes and child support; court costs and fees assessed as a result of the inmate’s confinement; and an amount sufficient to pay all or part of any costs assessed against the inmate for misconduct or damage to the property of others. The director may pay all or any part of remaining wages paid directly to a dependent of the inmate, or may deposit the wages to the account of the inmate, or may deposit a portion and allow the inmate a portion for the inmate’s personal use.