Iowa corrections must run institutional work release programs and may allow eligible inmates limited release for work or related purposes under approved plans.
1. In addition to the work release program established in section 904.901, the department of corrections shall establish an institutional work release program for each institution. The program shall provide that the department may grant inmates sentenced to an institution under its jurisdiction the privilege of leaving actual confinement during necessary and reasonable hours for the purpose of working at gainful employment. Under appropriate conditions, the program may also include an out-of-state work or treatment placement or release for the purpose of seeking employment or attendance at an educational institution. An inmate may be placed on work release status in the inmate’s own home, under appropriate circumstances, which may include child care and housekeeping in the inmate’s own home. 2. A committee shall be established by the department for the work release program at each institution to review applications for participation in the program. 3. An inmate who is eligible to participate in the work release program may apply to the superintendent of the institution for permission to participate in the program. The application shall include a statement that, if the application is approved, the inmate agrees to abide by all terms and conditions of the inmate’s work release plan adopted by the committee. In addition, the application shall state the name and address of the proposed employer, if any, and shall contain other information as required by the committee. The committee may approve, disapprove, or defer action on the application. If the application is approved, the committee shall adopt an institutional work release plan for the applicant. The plan shall contain the elements required by this section and other conditions as the committee deems necessary and proper. The plan shall be signed by the inmate prior to participation in the program. Approval of a plan may be revoked at any time by the superintendent or the committee. 4. An inmate in local facilities as provided in section 904.904 may be housed and supervised by a district department. The institutional work release plan shall indicate the place where the inmate is to be housed when not on work assignment. The plan shall not allow for placement of an inmate on work release for more than six months in any twelve-month period without unanimous committee approval to do so. However, an inmate may be temporarily released to the supervision of a responsible person to participate in family and selected community, religious, educational, social, civic, and recreational activities when the committee determines that the participation will directly facilitate the release of the inmate from the institution to the community. The department shall provide a copy of the work release plan and a copy of any restitution plan of payment to the district department housing and supervising the inmate. 5. An inmate employed in the community under an institutional work release plan approved pursuant to this section shall surrender the inmate’s total earnings less payroll deductions required by law to the superintendent, or to the district department if it is housing or supervising the inmate. The superintendent or the district department shall deduct from the earnings in the priority established in section 904.905. 6. The department of corrections shall adopt rules for the implementation of this section. 91 Acts, ch 219, §13 CS91, §246.910 C93, §904.910 2024 Acts, ch 1182, §81 Referred to in §901B.1, 904.901