Incarcerated persons: wages.

Existing law authorizes the employment of incarcerated persons in various capacities and authorizes the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation and the Prison Industry Authority to adopt and maintain a compensation schedule for incarcerated persons who are employees, as specified. This bill would require the Secretary of the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to adopt a 5-year implementation schedule to increase the compensation for incarcerated persons engaged in work programs under the jurisdiction of the department. The bill would specify that the increase in compensation is required to adequately allow an incarcerated person to, among other things, afford quarterly packages, purchase educational materials, and maintain family connections, as specified.