25-13-102. Correctional industries advisory board.

(a) There is created the correctional industries advisory board. The board shall consist of seven (7) members appointed by the governor. Members shall serve a three (3) year term provided that of the initial board, two (2) members shall be appointed for a one (1) year term, two (2) members for two (2) year terms and three (3) members for three (3) year terms. Membership on the board shall include representatives of organized labor, business, the criminal justice system and the educational community. The director of the department of corrections and the director of the department of workforce services, or their designees, shall serve as ex officio nonvoting members of the board.

(b) The governor may remove any member of the board as provided by W.S. 9-1-202.

(c) Vacancies on the advisory board shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term.

(d) Members of the advisory board shall not receive compensation for their services, but when actually engaged in the performance of their duties shall receive travel expenses, per diem and mileage expenses in the same manner and amount as employees of the state.

(e) The department shall provide staff services as the advisory board requires to carry out its duties.

(f) The advisory board shall recommend to the governor and to the department policies for correctional industries programs designed to:

(i) Offer inmates meaningful employment, work experience and training in vocations that are specifically designed to reduce recidivism and thereby enhance public safety by providing opportunities for legitimate means of livelihood upon the inmate's release from custody;

(ii) Provide industries which will reduce the tax burden of corrections and save taxpayers money through production of goods and services for sale and use;

(iii) Provide for the effective and efficient operation of correctional work programs which are as similar as possible to those provided by the private sector;

(iv) Encourage the development of and provide for the selection of, contracting for, and supervision of work programs with participating private enterprise firms; and

(v) Provide advice regarding the use of available funds in correctional industries enterprises and meaningful work programs that will not result in the displacement of employed workers, be applied in skills, crafts or trades in which there is adequate gainful labor in the locality or impair existing contracts for services.

(g) The advisory board shall annually review and report to the governor and joint judiciary interim committee the performance of the correctional industries program within the department.