33-601.201. Inmate Work Program

(1) For the purposes of this rule, an “assignment” means the work or program that an inmate has been assigned to by department staff. Each inmate assigned shall be required to perform in a satisfactory and acceptable manner. It is the continuous goal of the department that inmates in work assignments work at least 40 hours per week. Until this goal is achieved, the department shall maximize the utilization of inmate labor within existing resources.

(2) Inmates may be assigned to perform work for political subdivisions in the state including municipalities and agencies and institutions of the State, or nonprofit corporations that enter into agreements or contracts with the Department pursuant to Department of Corrections Rule 33-601.202, F.A.C. Inmates may also be required to perform work for the corporation authorized to operate correctional work programs under Part II of Chapter 946, F.S.

(3) All inmates shall submit to assignment schedules of the institution, and shall carry out such instructions as shall be given by department staff and non-department staff authorized to supervise inmates.

(4) Except in the case of emergency, inmates shall not be required to perform assignments more than twelve (12) hours per day. The total number of hours inmates may be worked per week shall not exceed seventy-two (72) hours per week, including travel time between their place of confinement and place of work. Inmates ordinarily shall not be required to work on Sunday, except in those assignments necessary for institutional or other agency operation or emergency situations. When practical, inmates should be given one day off from their work assignments per week. Additionally, when practical, inmates shall be given a fifteen (15) minute rest period during each four hour assignment period and at least one-half (1/2) hour for their meal period.

(5) No inmate working outside of an institution shall have any conversation or other contact with any person other than an inmate or employee without the consent of the warden, Officer-in-Charge, or his designated representative, except that the inmate may make a brief and polite response when conversation is initiated by such other person. Waving to or calling out at passing persons or automobiles is prohibited.

(6) When performing an assignment, no inmate shall depart the institutional grounds or the place where he is assigned except with the specific authorization of the warden, Officer-in-Charge, or his designated representative.

(7) A Department of Corrections representative at private facilities shall review and either approve, disapprove or modify all inmate job and program assignments.

(8) When reviewing inmate job and program assignments department staff shall consider factors including the type of work assignment and level of skill required, the inmate’s disciplinary history, the inmate’s arrest and conviction history, and the needs of the institution.

Rulemaking Authority 20.315, 944.09 FS. Law Implemented 944.09, 944.10(7), 946.002, 946.006(3), 946.40(1), 946.511(1)(b) FS. History–New 10-8-76, Amended 4-19-79, Formerly 33-3.03, Amended 2-26-86, 1-28-98, Formerly 33-3.003, Amended 11-8-00, 8-18-13.