CHAPTER 641

An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding.sections numbered 58-19.1
to 58-19.4, inclusive, authorizing the use of prison labor for reforesta-
tion, soil erosion control, water conservation and construction of public
recreational areas; to prescribe the conditions under which such labor
may be so employed; and to provide for reimbursement of the State for
certain costs in connection therewith.

(S 314]

Approved April 7, 1954
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:

1. That the Code of Virginia be amended by adding sections numbered 53-
19.1 to 58-19.4, inclusive, as follows:

§ 53-19.1. The Director of Welfare and Institutions is authorized,
subject to the conditions hereinafter set forth, to furnish prison labor for
the purpose of reforestation, soil erosion control, water conservation, and
the construction of public recreational areas.

§ 53-19.2. Any political subdivision or agency of the State desiring
to secure the labor of convicts for the purposes above specified shall make
application to the Director for the labor of such number of convicts as is
required in the performance of the project contemplated, stating in such
application the number of man-hours of labor required, and the location in
which the same is to be performed, and such other information as the
Director may require; provided that no application shall be granted unless
the applicant certify thereon that free labor is unavailable for such pur-
pose. Any such application shall, in the case of a reforestation project, be
accompanied by the certificate of the State Forester that such project will
be of ultimate benefit to the natural resources of the State; in the case of a
soil erosion or farm pond project, such application shall be accompanied
by the certificate of the supervisor of the soil conservation district, if any,
and if none, then of the county agent of the county in which the work is to
be performed, that such project will be beneficial in the conservation of
soil and water resources; in the case of a water conservation project, such
application shall be accompanied by the certificate of the Commissioner,
Division of Water Resources, that such project will be beneficial in the con-
servation of the natural resources of the State; and in the case of use of such
labor in connection with the construction of a public recreational area, such
application shall be accompanied by the certificate of the Commissioner of
the Division of State Parks that the recreational area will be of benefit to
the residents of the political subdivision.

§ 53-19.3. , No prisoners shall be assigned to work on any such proj-
ect until the applicant has deposited with the Director a sum of money suf-
ficient to cover the estimated cost of the labor of the prisoners during the
period during which they are to be used. The Director is authorized to
accept such funds and to expend the same in reimbursing the State for
such costs according to the price scale established under § 53-14. If such
deposit is not sufficient to meet such costs, no further labor shall be fur-
nished until sufficient additional funds are deposited to cover such costs.

§ 58-19.4. The Director shall not furnish prison labor under the pro-
visions of the three preceding sections unless, in his judgment, the use of
prisoners for such purpose will contribute to the physical welfare and
rehabilitation of such prisoners, will not increase the danger of escape
from custody of any prisoners so employed, and can be accomplished with-
out adversely affecting the State penal and correctional program.