Pennsylvania SB 1184: An Act amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Prison Industry Enhancement Authority; providing for employment of incarcerated individuals by private industry and for subcontracts with correctional agencies; establishing guidelines for incarcerated individual compensation; and providing for location of private sector prison industry.

Bill Text

PRINTER'S NO. 1434
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE BILL
No. 1184
Session of
2026
INTRODUCED BY BARTOLOTTA, BOSCOLA, DUSH AND CAPPELLETTI,
FEBRUARY 13, 2026
REFERRED TO JUDICIARY, FEBRUARY 13, 2026
AN ACT
Amending Title 61 (Prisons and Parole) of the Pennsylvania
Consolidated Statutes, establishing the Prison Industry
Enhancement Authority; providing for employment of
incarcerated individuals by private industry and for
subcontracts with correctional agencies; establishing
guidelines for incarcerated individual compensation; and
providing for location of private sector prison industry.
The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
hereby enacts as follows:
Section 1. Title 61 of the Pennsylvania Consolidated
Statutes is amended by adding a chapter to read:
CHAPTER 19
PRISON INDUSTRY ENHANCEMENT AUTHORITY
Sec.
1901. Scope of chapter.
1902. Intent.
1903. Definitions.
1904. Prison Industry Enhancement Authority.
1905. Powers and duties of authority.
1906. Cooperation with private industry.
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1907. Minimum requirements of private sector prison industry.
1908. Wages and deductions.
1909. Administrative support.
1910. Immunities not waived.
1911. Civil actions.
1912. Construction of chapter.
1913. Monetary limitations.
§ 1901. Scope of chapter.
This chapter relates to the Prison Industry Enhancement
Authority.
§ 1902. Intent.
It is the intent of the General Assembly that joint ventures
between correctional facilities and private industry be
established so that incarcerated individuals in correctional
facilities be productively engaged. Private industry in this
Commonwealth will gain access to an expanded labor force while
not displacing job opportunities for civilian labor in the
community. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to
authorize the privatization of correctional facilities in this
Commonwealth. It is further the intent of the General Assembly
to structure the use and availability of incarcerated individual
labor and regulate its use to assure that incarcerated
individual labor will not be used to replace work opportunities
for unemployed or underemployed residents of this Commonwealth
or to create competitive advantages for businesses participating
in the prison labor programs. The private sector prison industry
will not result in bargaining agreements for civilian laborers.
It is further the intent of the General Assembly that
incarcerated individuals who are deemed eligible in these jobs
be able to:
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(1) Develop positive work habits that will assist them
in securing and holding gainful employment in the public and
private sectors subsequent to their release from
incarceration.
(2) Pay a reasonable portion of the room and board in a
correctional facility.
(3) Accept responsibility for the consequences of their
actions by compensating victims of crime through deductions
from their earnings.
(4) Provide financial assistance to their dependents,
thus strengthening and promoting family ties while reducing
the likelihood that their families may eventually have to
rely upon public assistance.
§ 1903. Definitions.
The following words and phrases when used in this chapter
shall have the meanings given to them in this section unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise:
"Authority." The Prison Industry Enhancement Authority
established in this chapter.
"Certification." The process where an applicant demonstrates
assurances of authority and compliance with mandatory program
criteria and describes key project elements as required by
Federal law.
"Correctional facility." A jail, prison or detention
facility operated by the Commonwealth or by a county or jointly
by more than one county and used for the detention and
confinement of persons convicted and under sentence for
violations of the criminal laws of this Commonwealth. The term
includes a motivational boot camp as defined in section 3903
(relating to definitions). The term does not include a facility
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used for the detention and confinement of juvenile offenders or
a privately operated jail, prison or detention facility.
"Cost accounting center." A specific industry program
operated under the private sector Prison Industry Enhancement
Certification Program.
"County commissioners." Elected county commissioners or the
equivalent governing body of any county, regardless of form of
government.
"Director of correctional industries." An individual who has
authority to operate and manage the Prison Industry Enhancement
Certification Program under the direct supervision of the
Secretary of Corrections and the Prison Industry Enhancement
Authority.
"Employer model." An arrangement under which a private
business, private enterprise or nonprofit entity owns and
operates the cost accoun