Kankakee Times

Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Gibson City) is trying to open prison doors a bit wider for newly released inmates.

Bennett presented an amendment to HB4199 that would allow for the Department of Corrections to contract with private businesses to hire inmates while they are still incarcerated. The measure, titled Prison Industry Enhancement Certification, was presented by Bennett to the House Judiciary Criminal Committee on April 17.

“It is a pretty neat idea,” Bennett said. “When they (inmates) get out, they have something to start with.”

Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Gibson City)

The program is Intended to train the prison population in industries they can potentially be hired in after release, witness and Department of Corrections Assistant Director Gladyse Taylor told the committee. The program pays inmates at a prevailing wage rather than prison-based salary, Taylor said.

“The intent of these programs is not to take away jobs from the existing workforce,” Taylor said, adding job placement is based upon businesses who cannot find enough employees to hire.

Before pointing out the positive aspect of victim amends, Rep. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) queried Taylor on the program, first confirming the business and not the state would pay for the inmates’ wages.

“It is good for that particular inmate to have more than $10 gate money when they get out and it also allows for the victim to get the restitution more easily and quickly,” Bryant said.

Bryant wanted to know of other states have implemented Prison Industry Enhancement Certification. Though Taylor could not tell her of the exact states, she did offer a positive financial figure seen from the program.

“They generate fairly close to half-a-billion in annual revenues,” Taylor said.

Bryant asked if the program would create jobs within the Department of Corrections and was told that could be possible.

“I am sweetening the deal,” Bryant said.

No action was taken on HB4199.