The county governing body may establish a wage system for payment to prisoners for services in work carried on by such governing body or by any board, commission or institution that receives funds from the county. Such wage system may include all prisoners employed in any work or service necessary for the maintenance of the workhouse or penitentiary or their inmates. The wage allowed each prisoner shall not exceed fifty cents for each day of eight hours’ work by such prisoners. In the payment of wages to prisoners preference shall be given to those who have persons legally dependent upon them for support.

The county governing body is authorized to withdraw from moneys paid to prisoners sufficient moneys, in an amount not to exceed one-third of the inmate’s total income, as may be required to pay any penalty assessment, restitution or fine ordered as part of any sentence.

Amended by L. 1985, c. 251, s. 5, eff. July 31, 1985.