Can inmates work while they are incarcerated?
Yes. On average, inmates can make between $.19 and $.51 an hour. The skill level needed to perform the job determines the exact compensation. If inmates are not medically able to work or if there are no educational assignments available, they receive an allowance equal to 20 hours of work compensation per week. Inmates do not receive cash directly. Any payment for work is deposited into an account maintained for them by the prison. They can request that money be transferred from their account to pay for legal bills and approved purchases.
