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SB 2622

AN ACT RELATING TO STATE AFFAIRS AND GOVERNMENT -- CORRECTIONS DEPARTMENT

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jonathon Acosta and 4 co-sponsors

Raises incarcerated workers’ daily wage from $3 to $5 and requires at least 25% savings, with funds usable for court costs and returned upon release.

05/06/2026 Committee recommended measure be held for further study
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Bill Summary · SB 2622

Bill Summary – Rhode Island SB 2622 (2026)

Overview

SB 2622, introduced February 13, 2026, and referred to Senate Labor & Gaming, would modify the compensation for labor performed by persons committed to adult correctional institutions under state law. The bill increases the minimum daily wage for incarcerated workers from $3.00 to $5.00, with specific allocations and use of funds maintained.

Purpose and Intent

  • To raise the daily wage rate for inmates who labor while in custody, expanding the state’s current compensation framework.
  • To ensure a portion of earnings is reserved for the inmate’s future needs and to support potential court costs, while outlining the management of those funds.

Key Provisions and Changes

  1. Labor Compensation Increase

    • The daily wage for incarcerated individuals who labor would increase from $3.00 to $5.00 per day of labor, with the director (or the director’s designee) having discretion to approve work participation.

  2. Fund Allocation and Custody of Earnings

    • Earned wages are to be credited to the prisoner’s account by the assistant director of administration (or designee) and disbursed per institutional rules.
    • A minimum reserve: at least 25% of earnings must be held in the prisoner’s account at all times, up to a maximum of:
      • $100 for those serving life imprisonment without parole.
      • $2,000 for all other prisoners.
    • These funds are considered the prisoner’s property and are intended to be returned to the prisoner upon release.

  3. Use of Funds

    • The statute clarifies that the funds in the prisoner’s account may be used to pay court fees and costs associated with filing, prosecution, and defense of legal actions, if applicable.

  4. Effect and Implementation

    • The act would take effect upon passage.

Who is Affected

  • Individuals committed to Rhode Island adult correctional institutions who participate in labor programs while incarcerated.
  • Department of Corrections administrative staff responsible for managing inmate labor and financial accounts.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Status: Introduced and referred to Senate Labor & Gaming (as of February 13, 2026). Scheduled for hearing/consideration around May 6, 2026.
  • Effective Date: Immediate upon passage.

Potential Impacts

  • Inmates could retain a larger portion of earnings (with a higher daily wage) and a larger portion may be withheld for savings, subject to the 25% minimum reserve limits.
  • Inmate access to funds for court-related costs may be facilitated, depending on the specific application of funds.
  • Administrative processes within the Department of Corrections would adjust to the new wage rate and savings requirements.

This summary centers on the bill’s core change: raising the daily labor wage for incarcerated individuals to $5 and defining how earnings are saved and may be used for court costs, with funds returned to inmates at release.

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

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