California Bill Would Create Voluntary Work Program for Inmates

Legislation signed this week by Gov. Newsom would create a voluntary work program for California inmates contingent upon the passage of an anti-slavery ballot measure in November. Assembly Bill 628 would require the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to develop a work program and assignments for inmates in prisons and county and city jails who choose to participate. The bill hinges on Assembly Constitutional Amendment No. 8, which will be on the November statewide ballot. If approved by voters, it would amend the California Constitution to prohibit the corrections department from disciplining incarcerated persons for refusing work assignments. AB628, however, will give inmates the option to work while incarcerated, including city and county assignments for cleaning alongside freeways and responding to grass or brush fires. It would also require inmate wages for county and city jails to be set by local ordinances....