SB 5956 - DIGEST

     Provides that neither the department, an organization operating or managing an inmate work program, or another entity employing inmate labor within the state of Washington may contract with or employ a member of the correctional industries board of directors during the member's time of service on the board, or for a period of two years from the termination of membership on the board of directors.

     Declares that in performing the reviews required by RCW 72.09.100, the correctional industries board of directors shall reject:  (1) An agreement or contract that would provide an unfair competitive advantage, in comparison to the Washington state business community or labor market, to any organization; or

     (2) an agreement or contract that would negatively impact the Washington state business community or labor market.

     Provides that, prior to the commitment of inmate labor to employment outside the confines of a correctional facility, and at least forty-eight hours prior to the dispatch of any inmate to a worksite outside the confines of a correctional facility, the secretary, in accordance with rules adopted under RCW 72.64.020, shall provide for notification to the community in which the worksite is located.

     Provides that no person, other than an employee of the department, may supervise inmates in work duties unless he or she has successfully completed, in accordance with rules adopted under RCW 72.64.020, a training course conducted by the department.  The training course shall include, as a minimum, the issues of:  (1) Security, including interdiction of contraband;

     (2) discrimination, including sexual harassment; and

     (3) personnel management, including problem areas in the management of inmates.

     Declares that, unless authorized in writing in advance as provided for by the department, any visit to an inmate employee, while the inmate is outside the confines of a correctional facility, by a person other than the inmate's employer or other person involved in the inmate's current employment shall constitute grounds for restriction of the inmate to employment within the confines of the correctional facility in which he or she is incarcerated.

     Provides that inmates may not be employed in telemarketing, or in any endeavor involving telecommunications, including computer networks, that allow access to persons or locations outside the confines of the correctional facility in which they are incarcerated.

     Repeals RCW 72.60.235.