V.I. Code tit. 5, § 4509 (2019)
2019 US Virgin Islands Code|Title 5 - Judicial Procedure|Subtitle 3 - Criminal Procedure|Part III - Correctional Services|Chapter 401 - Bureau of Corrections|§ 4509. Work by inmates and compensation.

 (a) The Bureau of Corrections may require of any able-bodied prisoner as many hours of faithful labor in each and every day during his term of imprisonment as shall be prescribed by the Director of Corrections. However, under no circumstances, nor at any time, shall a prisoner be required to work more than eight (8) hours per day. (b) The Bureau shall adopt and put into effect an agricultural, landscaping, industrial production program and such other programs as may be useful within this Territory, including programs that use various technologies and related professional skills, and shall provide training facilities for inmates under its control and supervision. To the extent feasible, equipment, management practices and general procedures shall approximate normal conditions of employment. (c) The Bureau may cause to be manufactured, processed, or produced by the inmates under its control and supervision such items as are practical and adaptable for prison industry and are needed and used in the Bureau and in other government departments and agencies. The Bureau shall give priority to the implementation of those activities and services that will directly assist in reducing the reliance of the Bureau upon external sources of supply in the areas of agriculture, animal husbandry, and the allied craft trades that are capable of producing a fiscal benefit to the Territory and which will facilitate self-sufficiency for the inmates, the Bureau and other units of Government. Tax-supported departments, agencies and institutions of the Government shall give preference to the purchase of inmates products and services. (d) The Bureau shall enter into agreements with the Department of Public Works and other government departments and agencies to use the services of inmates for road beautification, landscaping, public building maintenance and repairs and other similar work when it is determined by the Bureau that such services will not be detrimental to the welfare of such inmates or the interests of the public in a program of rehabilitation; except that participation by inmates shall be voluntary. (e) The employment of any inmate pursuant to this section shall not result in the displacement of employed workers, and shall not impair existing contracts for services. (f) Only able-bodied prisoners classified as medium-security or minimum-security shall be eligible to work outside of the Bureau. Inmates shall not be used for work outside of the Bureau without being supervised. (g) The Director of Corrections may adopt rules governing work and supervision of inmates outside of the Bureau in public works and other projects, which rules shall include but shall not be limited to the proper screening and supervision of the inmates. The education, work experience, emotional and mental abilities, and physical capabilities of the inmate and the length of sentence imposed on the inmate shall be analyzed before assignment of the inmate into the various areas best suited for him. (h) No person convicted of first-degree murder, aggravated rape, rape in the first degree, unlawful sexual contact in the first degree, or kidnapping with intent to commit rape as defined in Title 14 of this Code shall be eligible to work outside of the Bureau of Corrections. (i) Inmate work crews shall be attired in standard prison uniform when working in the community. (j) Inmates who are engaged in productive work shall be compensated at rates fixed by the Director of Corrections for work performed. Such compensation shall be in accordance with a schedule based on quality and quantity of work performed and skill required for performance. The Bureau shall be reimbursed by the Department of Public Works or any other government department or agency for the services of inmates and corrections officers in such amounts as may be determined by agreement between the Bureau and the head of the department or agency or by any gift, donation or bequest received from any other source. No inmate compensated under this section shall be considered an employee of the Government or the Bureau, nor shall such inmate come within any other provision of the Worker's Compensation Act. (k) The Bureau shall require that the income paid any inmate for work permitted under this section be deposited in a depository or account maintained by the Bureau to the credit and for the benefit of the inmate. The Bureau shall withdraw from the depository or account and use such funds as are necessary to meet the obligations of such inmate, which obligations shall be paid in the following order: (1) restitution ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction to the victim of the criminal act; (2) payment of fines pursuant to a court order, and support of dependents pursuant to a court order; (3) support of the inmate's family; (4) payment of any legally recognized debts outstanding; and (5) reimbursement to the Territory for lodging, food, transportation and other expenses incurred for sustaining the inmate. The reimbursement provided for under this item shall also include the cost associated with providing electronic monitoring device(s) used when the inmate is not in jail. The balance of funds, which funds shall not be lower than twenty percent (20%) of the income earned by the inmate, shall be returned to the inmate with proper accounting immediately upon the completion of his sentence or his release on parole by the Bureau. (l) The Bureau may grant any inmate serving a sentence, the balance of which does not exceed three years, the privilege of temporarily leaving the institution during necessary and reasonable hours, including overnight stays in approved community institutions or halfway houses as prescribed in subsection (m) of this section, for any of the following purposes: (1) seeking employment; (2) working at his employment; or (3) attending an educational institution. (m) The Bureau shall establish administrative and fiscal procedures to permit the use of approved community institutions or halfway houses for the placement of inmates temporarily released for the purposes enumerated in subsection (l) of this section.