Assigned to COMPS FOR
COMMITTEE
Assigned to COMPS FOR
COMMITTEE
ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Third Legislature, Second Regular Session
prisoners; dedicated discharge account; use
Purpose
An emergency measure that increases, from $100 to $250, the maximum balance that a prisoner can accumulate in a dedicated discharge account and permits a prisoner to use monies in the account prior to discharge for post-discharge needs.
Background
Current law requires the Arizona Department of Corrections (ADC) to deposit 25 percent of wages earned by prisoners into a dedicated discharge account (account) until the account accumulates $100, or $50 if the prisoner is serving a natural life sentence. Monies accumulated in the account must be distributed to the prisoner on the prisoner's discharge or transfer to community release or home arrest. Specified percentages may also be deducted for a transition program, court‑ordered dependent care or deposit into a spendable account (A.R.S. §§ 31-237 and 31-254).
Current law authorizes the ADC Director to require able-bodied prisoners to work. ADC administers three work programs for inmates: 1) Work Incentive Pay Plan (WIPP); 2) Arizona Correctional Industries (ACI); and 3) Intergovernmental Agreements (IGAs). WIPP involves assignments on the prison grounds. As determined by the ADC Director, the prison compensates inmates on a graduated schedule based on the quantity, quality and difficulty of work performed. ACI is a self-funded business within the ADC that typically compensates inmates, from business revenues, above the statute-mandated cap applying to WIPP and IGAs. Under an IGA, ADC and local governments enter into work contracts in which the latter pays inmate compensation. The current inmate compensation maximum is $1.50 per hour for both WIPP and IGA programs (A.R.S. § 31-254).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Increases, from $100 to $250, the maximum balance that a wage-earning prisoner can accumulate in the prisoner's account.
2. Allows an inmate to use monies in the account before the inmate is discharged or transferred for items and services that the prisoner will require immediately after being released or transferred.
3. Requires ADC to withdraw any applicable fees for the issuance of a driver license or identification card from an eligible prisoner's account.
4. Makes conforming changes.
5. Becomes effective on signature of the Governor, if the emergency clause is enacted.
House Action
MVRA 1/29/18 DPA 8-0-1-0
3rd Read 2/8/18 57-1-1-0
Prepared by Senate Research
February 22, 2018
GH/VR/lb