HOUSE BILL ANALYSIS

HB 1934

Title:An act relating to deductions from inmates funds.

Brief Description:Specifying deductions from inmate funds.

Sponsors: Representatives Koster, Ballasiotes, Hickel, Robertson, Mitchell, Dickerson, Cairnes, Regala, Delvin, Dunn and Blalock.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CORRECTIONS

Staff: Yvonne Walker (786-7841)

Background:  The Department of Corrections (DOC) is responsible for establishing deductions to be made from an inmate=s wages to contribute to the cost of incarceration and the development of the Correctional Industries program.  For example, a 35 percent deduction is withdrawn from the wages of inmates participating in a class I Correctional Industry program (private sector businesses operated in DOC) and  then it is distributed as follows:

5 percent to the Crime Victims Compensation program;

          10 percent to the inmate=s savings account;

20 percent to the cost of the inmate=s incarceration.

All money received by an inmate from outside of the prison is subject to the same mandatory deductions as class I industry wages.

Summary:  The mandatory deduction on all money received by an inmate from outside of the prison is reduced from 35 percent to 15 percent:   

              5 percent to the Crime Victims Compensation program;

              10 percent to the inmate=s savings account.

Require the Exercise of Rule- Making Powers:  No

Fiscal Note:  Requested on February 19, 1997.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.