Inmate Cooperative Program.
- Establishes a new prison program allowing inmates to form and operate worker cooperatives within state facilities.
- Requires cooperatives to contribute 40% of inmate wages to a reentry fund supporting post-release opportunities.
- Mandates that prison cooperatives focus on environmentally sustainable industries and products.
- Provides inmates with training in financial literacy and business management while earning minimum wage.
Assembly Member McKinnor's proposal to establish worker cooperatives within California state prisons introduces a new pathway for incarcerated individuals to develop business skills and build financial resources. The Inmate Cooperative Program would enable groups of inmates to form and operate worker-owned businesses inside prison facilities, with support from external nonprofit partners and oversight from prison administrators.
Under the program, inmates could apply to create cooperatives by submitting detailed operational plans to facility wardens. These plans must include draft bylaws, business strategies focused on sustainable industries, and safety protocols. Approved cooperatives would incorporate formally and operate under contracts with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which would provide access to necessary equipment and workspace while maintaining security requirements.
The initiative includes specific financial structures to support both individual savings and broader community impact. Cooperatives would deduct 40% of inmate wages for deposit into a Green Cooperative Reentry Reserve, managed by a designated financial institution to fund grants and loans for environmentally sustainable projects benefiting system-impacted individuals. Additional wage deductions would go toward taxes, restitution, and individual trust and savings accounts. The California Employee Ownership Hub would select a cooperative institution to provide technical assistance and oversee program implementation.
To maintain program integrity, the legislation prohibits Department of Corrections employees from holding positions or financial interests in the cooperatives. While cooperatives must meet labor and safety standards, they would be exempt from certain restrictions on selling inmate-produced goods and services. The program requires annual reporting on the use of reserve funds and measurable outcomes of funded initiatives.
 Ash KalraD Assemblymember | Bill Author |  Not Contacted | |
 Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
 Mike FongD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 9 | PASS |
- Establishes a new prison program allowing inmates to form and operate worker cooperatives within state facilities.
- Requires cooperatives to contribute 40% of inmate wages to a reentry fund supporting post-release opportunities.
- Mandates that prison cooperatives focus on environmentally sustainable industries and products.
- Provides inmates with training in financial literacy and business management while earning minimum wage.
Email the authors or create an email template to send to all relevant legislators.
Introduced By
Assembly Member McKinnor's proposal to establish worker cooperatives within California state prisons introduces a new pathway for incarcerated individuals to develop business skills and build financial resources. The Inmate Cooperative Program would enable groups of inmates to form and operate worker-owned businesses inside prison facilities, with support from external nonprofit partners and oversight from prison administrators.
Under the program, inmates could apply to create cooperatives by submitting detailed operational plans to facility wardens. These plans must include draft bylaws, business strategies focused on sustainable industries, and safety protocols. Approved cooperatives would incorporate formally and operate under contracts with the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, which would provide access to necessary equipment and workspace while maintaining security requirements.
The initiative includes specific financial structures to support both individual savings and broader community impact. Cooperatives would deduct 40% of inmate wages for deposit into a Green Cooperative Reentry Reserve, managed by a designated financial institution to fund grants and loans for environmentally sustainable projects benefiting system-impacted individuals. Additional wage deductions would go toward taxes, restitution, and individual trust and savings accounts. The California Employee Ownership Hub would select a cooperative institution to provide technical assistance and oversee program implementation.
To maintain program integrity, the legislation prohibits Department of Corrections employees from holding positions or financial interests in the cooperatives. While cooperatives must meet labor and safety standards, they would be exempt from certain restrictions on selling inmate-produced goods and services. The program requires annual reporting on the use of reserve funds and measurable outcomes of funded initiatives.
Latest Voting History
| Ayes | Noes | NVR | Total | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 0 | 1 | 9 | PASS |
Ash KalraD Assemblymember | Bill Author | Not Contacted | |
Joaquin ArambulaD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Buffy WicksD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Lisa CalderonD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted | |
Mike FongD Assemblymember | Committee Member | Not Contacted |