ADA Work Credits for Inmates

The American Disabilities Act (ADA) was created in order to ensure that individuals with disabilities, as defined in the Act, would not be denied civil rights based on that disability and have equal opportunities. This includes employment. Though prison inmates give up certain rights when they break the law, they are still protected under the ADA and are subject to certain work credits.

American Disabilities Act (ADA)

• The ADA is a federal civil rights law that was created in 1990 (with an updated revision in 2008) to give rights to people with disabilities. One of the objectives of the act is to eliminate discrimination toward disabled persons and provide for equal opportunity.

What is a Disability?

• As defined in the ADA of 1990, a disability refers to an individual with:

  (A) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities of such individual;

  (B) a record of such an impairment; or

  (C) being regarded as having such an impairment.

  Any individual that this applies to has the right to use the ADA if he feels that he has been discriminated against.

ADA and Prison Inmates

• According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, "inmates who are medically able are required to work." As true as that law is, so is the ADA with respect to the inmates. Inmates are protected by the ADA like everyone else, which also allows them to be eligible for work credits.

Work Credits for Inmates

• Work credits are earned by inmates and the amount of credit granted varies within the different levels of corrections. These work credits are part of allowing inmates to work toward a work release program where the credits can help reduce their time behind bars. For those inmates who qualify under the ADA, they also qualify for work credits. The amount is decided by their respective Departments of Corrections.