Tuesday, July 11, 2006
TEXAS INMATES NOT ENTITLED TO MINIMUM WAGE
The New York Times reports that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Texas inmates working prison jobs are not entitled to the federal minimum wage. The case involves an immate who works at a state prison laundry. The Court held that that prisoners are not "employees" and, therefore, not entitled to minimum wages. The court panel further noted in its decision that it had ruled in similar cases where inmates working outside jails for private firms technically were employees, but inmates working inside prisons for private firms were not.
Dorchester School District 2 may owe some backwages to prisoners who "volunteered" to work on the James Academy of Excellence.
The New York Times reports that the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that Texas inmates working prison jobs are not entitled to the federal minimum wage. The case involves an immate who works at a state prison laundry. The Court held that that prisoners are not "employees" and, therefore, not entitled to minimum wages. The court panel further noted in its decision that it had ruled in similar cases where inmates working outside jails for private firms technically were employees, but inmates working inside prisons for private firms were not.
Dorchester School District 2 may owe some backwages to prisoners who "volunteered" to work on the James Academy of Excellence.
