SB 461

This bill creates an immersive work opportunity program for prison inmates in

this state. Under the program, inmates approaching their release date may apply

to participate in the program, which would allow them to work for certain employers

at the market wage for the position and be treated as any other employee, including

wearing regular clothing to his or her work placement. Program participants may

be housed in county facilities closer to work sites and transported to and from work

sites by the Department of Corrections.

To be eligible to participate in the immersive work opportunity program, an

inmate must have been sentenced to a bifurcated sentence and be within six months

of his or her release to extended supervision; be of low or moderate security risk and

have a behavioral history while incarcerated that indicates that he or she will not be

a danger to the community while released for work; have previously obtained a high

school diploma or a high school equivalency diploma or equivalent general education

development credential; and agree to follow all DOC and program rules while

participating in the program. Additionally, in selecting applicants for the program,

DOC must consider whether the applicant has strong work history or job skills; an

applicant's level of education; an applicant's behavioral history; an applicant's

history of mental health challenges, substance abuse issues, or anger management

need; and the proximity of the work site to the applicant's crime victim.