A bill that would allow all sectors of Idaho agriculture to use state inmate labor when they can’t find enough workers has been sent to the full Senate with a “do-pass” recommendation.
Members of the Senate Judiciary and Rules Committee voted unanimously for the measure that strikes two words – “perishable” and “food” – from a law passed in 2014 that allows agricultural businesses to use inmate labor in emergency situations. That would pave the way for other farm sectors, such as nurseries and tree farms, to use inmate labor.
Idaho Department of Correction Director Henry Atencio told lawmakers that employers who use the program have to demonstrate they can’t find employees in the community. He said the program isn’t subsidizing employers because they must cover the associated costs, and a big focus of the department is making sure workers are receiving a fair wage.
Idaho Department of Labor experts help develop the pay rates for those employees. (Capital Press)
