53-30-131. Prison industries training program -- purpose and scope. (1) In addition to any correctional facility industry operated at the Montana state prison, the department of corrections shall conduct a prison industries training program.
     (2) The purpose of the prison industries training program is to:
     (a) provide innovative and progressive inmate reformation and rehabilitation possibilities by exposing inmates to worthwhile training;
     (b) prepare inmates for release by providing industries at the prison that utilize their skills, thus providing experience beyond mere training, inculcating inmates with good production and work habits, and providing them with a means to earn money that will be available to them upon release.
     (3) The prison industries training program consists of vocational training, on-the-job training, and production experience. The department may contract with public and private vocational education entities to provide this training.
     (4) The program may provide training and experience involving cultivation, production, repair, construction, refurbishment, service, and related processes involving personal property, including but not limited to such items as crops, livestock, furniture, office and electrical equipment, and motor vehicles. The products and services, with the exception of livestock and agricultural products produced from the Montana state prison ranch and products or services of a federally certified prison industries program, may be provided only to state agencies, local government units, school districts, authorities, and other governmental entities.
     (5) The department may donate surplus food grown or produced at the prison to local food banks, nonprofit organizations, and low-income persons.

     History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 3, Sp. L. 1982; amd. Sec. 1, Ch. 262, L. 1991; amd. Sec. 3, Ch. 471, L. 1993; amd. Sec. 511, Ch. 546, L. 1995; amd. Sec. 4, Ch. 315, L. 1997.