Inmate employment provisions debated

Senators began debating a bill Feb. 13 that would permit nonprofit corporations to enter into work arrangements with inmates of the Work Ethic Camp (WEC). Debate on the bill continued on Feb. 20 with no resolution.

LB52, introduced by Imperial Sen. Mark Christensen, would permit WEC inmates to enter into working arrangements with any charitable, fraternal or nonprofit corporation that provides a public benefit. WEC inmates currently may enter into work arrangements with political subdivisions and state boards and agencies.

Christensen said the state Department of Corrections discontinued WEC inmates’ working contracts with nonprofit organizations in 2008 over concerns that such a practice was in violation of statute. However, he said, community members and organizations believed the program to be successful and beneficial to both the inmates and the community.

“The bill is appropriate to continue and expand the successful partnership between the department and local [agencies],” Christensen said.

A Judiciary Committee amendment, adopted 33-0, would allow inmates housed in all state correctional facilities to voluntarily provide labor services for the permitted organizations.

Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop spoke in support of the amendment and the bill, saying it would provide necessary training to inmates.

“If we put people in prison for their offenses and they sit without any type of vocational training, without learning a skill or transitioning into a community, the chances of them returning are much higher,” he said. “This is a tool that allows them to transfer more successfully into a life outside of prison.”

Omaha Sen. Ernie Chambers spoke in opposition to the amendment and the bill, saying that department officials could coerce inmates into providing labor. Corporations could take advantage of inmates who provide cheap labor, he said, and allowing these practices at facilities statewide would exacerbate such a problem.

“This is a drastic and radical change in the way that people committed to the department are going to be utilized,“ Chambers said. “I do not like the idea of farming out free labor to these groups.”

Christensen introduced an amendment Feb. 20 that replaced the committee amendment and would allow the department to use inmates who volunteer to work for charitable, fraternal or nonprofit corporations that provide a public benefit.

He said the amendment would address the concerns of allowing inmates who are not housed at WEC to work for corporations.

The amendment was adopted on a 32-0 vote.

Chambers filed a number of failed amendments and motions in an attempt to filibuster LB52.

“This is bad legislation,” Chambers said. “I do not think these corporations should get free labor.”

The Legislature adjourned before taking further votes. An additional motion filed by Chambers to reconsider a failed vote on his amendment is pending.