Montgomery, AL – A state appeals court has ruled that Alabama's Department of Corrections may charge work-release inmates certain fees but cannot take more than 40 percent of their earnings.
The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals ruled Friday that the state corrections commissioner has authority to establish rules to promote security in prisons. It rejected claims by work-release inmates that the commissioner had no statutory authority to impose fees for drug tests, inmate-initiated medical exams, laundry and transportation.
The appeals court said the corrections department can deduct those fees up to 40 percent of a work-release inmates' gross earnings.
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