Section 187. Earnings of inmates

1.  Every  inmate confined in a state
  correctional facility, subject to  the  rules  and  regulations  of  the
  department  of  correctional  services,  and  every inmate confined in a
  local correctional facility, in the discretion of the  sheriff  thereof,
  may   receive   compensation  for  work  performed  during  his  or  her
  imprisonment. Such compensation shall be graded  by  the  department  of
  correctional   services  with  regard  to  inmates  employed  in  prison
  industries,  based  upon  the  work  performed  by  such  prisoners  for
  prisoners confined in state correctional facilities, and by the sheriffs
  in all local correctional facilities for inmates confined therein.
    2.  The department of correctional services shall adopt rules, subject
  to the approval of the director of the budget, for establishing  in  all
  of  the  state  correctional facilities a system of compensation for the
  inmates confined therein. Such rules shall provide for  the  payment  of
  compensation to each inmate, who shall meet the requirements established
  by  the  department  of  correctional  services,  based  upon  the  work
  performed by such inmates.
    3. The department shall prepare graded  wage  schedules  for  inmates,
  which  schedule  shall  be  based  upon classifications according to the
  value of work performed by each. Such schedules need not be  uniform  in
  all  institutions.    The rules of the department shall also provide for
  the establishment of a credit system for each inmate and the  manner  in
  which  such  earnings  shall  be paid to the inmate or his dependents or
  held in trust for him until his release.
    4. Any compensation paid to an inmate  under  this  article  shall  be
  based  on  the  work  performed by such inmate. Compensation may be paid
  from moneys appropriated to the department and available  to  facilities
  for nonpersonal service.