New York Assembly Bill A10626

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/13/26
• Refer: 3/13/26

Caption

Establishes a New York state prison labor board to ensure that all labor programs comply with the requirements of the labor law and are for the purpose of promoting successful rehabilitation, reentry and reintegration into the community and not for the purpose of earnings or cost-savings which inure to the benefit the state or any private individual or corporation; prohibits the department of corrections and community supervision from unfairly attaching, garnishing or disbursing the funds of incarcerated individuals where such individuals have not requested disbursement; requires that all interest accumulated on incarcerated individuals' funds be credited to such individual's accounts; eliminates the preferred status of the department of corrections and community supervision regarding commodities and services furnished by the correctional industries program; repeals certain provisions of the state finance law relating to such preferred status.

Impact

The proposed bill responds to historical injustices within the prison labor system, which critics argue stems from a legacy tied to slavery. It seeks to abolish the long-standing practice of low wages (ranging from ten to sixty-five cents an hour) which have not seen an increase since 1993, and instead, requires that incarcerated workers receive at least minimum wage. The act also provides rights for incarcerated individuals to organize and collectively bargain, thereby enhancing their ability to negotiate better working conditions.

Summary

Bill A10626, known as the 'Fairness and Opportunity for Incarcerated Workers Act', aims to transform the existing prison labor system in New York by establishing a prison labor board. This board will ensure that labor programs comply with labor laws and focus on promoting successful rehabilitation, reentry, and reintegration for incarcerated individuals. The bill aims to eliminate forced labor and inappropriate practices where individuals are coerced into working against their will, instead mandating fair wages and safe working conditions.

Contention

There remains contention over whether the changes proposed by this bill will effectively address the systemic issues within the prison labor system or if they will face resistance from departments of corrections that benefit financially from current practices. Critics argue that simply raising wages and instituting a labor board may not be sufficient to restructure the inherent power dynamics between incarcerated individuals and correctional institutions. Additionally, there are concerns regarding the practicality and enforcement of these new labor conditions, especially given the complexity of current prison systems.

Notable_points

Bill A10626 also stipulates that any work programs within prisons must focus on rehabilitation rather than profit generation. It proposes a comprehensive review of existing labor conditions and mandates a system for monitoring compliance. Additionally, it includes provisions to protect the funds of incarcerated individuals from unwanted garnishments, ensuring that any earnings are rightfully credited to their accounts.