Rep. Cleaver Introduces Bill to Require Minimum Wage for Incarcerated Workers
This bill was recently introduced and is currently being reviewed by the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It is in the early stages of the legislative process and is considered active. There are no upcoming votes scheduled at this time.
This bill faces strong opposition due to the high costs it would impose on state and federal prison budgets. It currently lacks the bipartisan support needed to move through a divided Congress.
Some private companies contract with prisons to use incarcerated labor at very low wages. This bill would require those companies to pay minimum wage, dramatically increasing their labor costs. Businesses that rely on cheap prison labor would need to restructure their operations or find other workers.
“The term `employee' includes (in addition to an individual described in paragraph (2)(D)) any individual employed as an incarcerated worker by a private entity that operates, through a contract with a public agency, the correctional facility in which such individual is incarcerated or detained.”
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act of 2026
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