HB347 Alabama 2012 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Charles O. Newton
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2012
Title: Work release program, county jail, portion of inmate's gross wages used for sheriff's department, Sec. 14-8-37 am'd
Summary: HB347 lets sheriffs withhold up to 40% of an inmate’s work-release wages and use the money to fund the sheriff’s office and other law enforcement costs, not salaries.
What This Bill Does
Currently, up to 25% of an inmate’s gross wages can be withheld. The bill raises that cap to 40% and allows the funds to be used for the operation of the sheriff’s office or other law enforcement purposes. The remainder of the wages goes to the inmate’s county account for items like clothing, medical care, spending money, savings, or dependent support. For state inmates, if confinement costs under the maintenance contract exceed 25% of wages, the Board of Corrections pays the difference to the county.

Who It Affects
Inmates in county jail work-release programs, who could see a larger portion of their wages withheld and a different allocation of remaining funds.
County sheriffs and county governments, which would receive more money from inmate wages to fund operations and other law enforcement needs (not salaries). State inmates are affected indirectly through the provision that the Department of Corrections must cover the difference if confinement costs exceed 25% of wages.

Key Provisions
Amends 14-8-37 to allow withholding of 25% up to 40% of an inmate's gross wages for work release.
Funds withheld may be used for the operation of the sheriff's office or other law enforcement purposes, but cannot be used to pay or supplement the sheriff's salary or salaries of sheriff's staff.
The remaining wages are deposited into the inmate's county account and may be used for clothing, medical/dental care, spending money, savings, or dependent support at the inmate's request.
If the cost of confinement for a state inmate under the maintenance contract exceeds 25% of wages, the Department of Corrections pays the difference to the county.
Employer must send the inmate's wages directly to the county or designated agent.
Effective date: becomes law immediately after approval by the Governor.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Work Release