Inmate work release program.

(a) This section shall apply to Fayette County.

(b) The following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) BOARD. The Sheriff of Fayette County in consultation with the Chief Deputy of the Fayette County Sheriff's Department.

(2) INMATE. Any person convicted of a crime and sentenced to the county jail.

(c) The employer of an inmate involved in work release shall pay the inmate's wages directly to the board. The board may adopt regulations concerning the disbursement of any earnings of the inmates involved in the work release program. The board shall be authorized to withhold from the inmate's earnings 40 percent of his or her gross earnings to pay such cost incident to the inmate's confinement as the board shall deem appropriate. The board may adopt policies to allow such monies to be spent exclusively for law enforcement and operation of the jail. After 40 percent has been deducted from the inmate's gross pay, the remainder of the inmate's earnings shall be credited to his or her account in a local bank, and upon his or her release from confinement shall be turned over to the inmate. The board is authorized, however, to turn the remainder of the inmate's earnings over to his or her family to be used by them in their support while the inmate is confined, provided the inmate gives written consent to this procedure prior to the inmate's release into the work release program.

(d) The willful failure of an inmate to remain within the extended limits of his or her confinement or to return within the time prescribed by the sheriff to the county jail shall be deemed as an escape from the custody of the sheriff and shall be punishable as provided by law for escaped prisoners.

(e) Employees of the board or persons designated by the board are authorized to make investigations and recommendations pertaining to the validity of requests for job opportunities for inmates and to otherwise assist the sheriff in the implementation of the program herein authorized.

(f) The board or members of the board shall endeavor to secure employment for eligible inmates under this section subject to the following:

(1) Such employment shall be at a wage at least as high as the prevailing wage for similar work in the area or community where the work is performed in accordance with the prevailing working conditions in such area.

(2) Such employment shall not result in displacement of employed workers.

(3) Inmates eligible for work release shall not be employed as strikebreakers or in impairing any existing contracts.

(4) Exploitation of eligible inmates in any form is prohibited.

(g) No inmate granted privileges under this section shall be deemed to be an agent, employee, or involuntary servant of the board, state, county, or municipality while involved in the free community or while going to and from employment, or other specified areas, or while on furlough.

(h) The sheriff or person or persons designated by the board shall jointly prepare an annual report to be filed not later than 60 days from the close of each fiscal year. A copy of the report shall be filed with each of the following persons or agencies: the board; the governing bodies to which this section applies; and the circuit judge or judges serving Fayette County.

(i) Anyone violating this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.

(Act 92-488, p. 963, §§1-9; Act 2009-481, p. 875, §1; Act 2018-511, §1.)