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HB 5764

AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN INCARCERATED WAGE EQUITY BONDS PROGRAM.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Anne Hughes and 1 co-sponsor

Connecticut bill creates wage equity bond program to increase compensation for incarcerated workers performing prison labor duties.

REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON Labor and Public Employees
#prisoners #release #statebondsforsocialservices
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Bill Summary · HB 5764

Legislative bill overview

HB 5764 establishes an "Incarcerated Wage Equity Bonds Program" in Connecticut, though the bill text itself is not provided in your submission. Based on the title, this legislation appears designed to create a mechanism—likely involving bonds or financial instruments—to address wage disparities for incarcerated individuals working in state facilities. The program would presumably generate revenue to ensure more equitable compensation for incarcerated workers.

Why is this important

Incarcerated individuals typically earn minimal wages (often pennies per hour) for prison labor, creating significant economic hardship for themselves and their families. Establishing wage equity mechanisms could reduce recidivism by providing resources for reentry, address workforce exploitation concerns, and generate revenue for victim restitution or rehabilitation programs. This reflects growing national momentum toward reforming prison labor practices.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Whether the state can sustain higher wages without raising taxes, reducing rehabilitation services, or cutting other prison operations
  • Implementation complexity: Defining "equity," determining which work qualifies, and managing bonds administration without creating administrative burden
  • Conservative opposition: Arguments that higher incarcerated wages undermine the punitive function of incarceration or create unfair advantages for incarcerated populations versus poor citizens
  • Practical concerns: Whether higher wages incentivize prison jobs fairly or create labor market distortions within correctional facilities

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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