(a) The department shall establish, maintain, and operate industry programs for offenders designed to equip the participant with a marketable skill which will provide to the participant a means of earning a livelihood upon the participant's return to the community. The department shall appoint an administrator who is the chief executive officer of the industry programs. The commissioner or the administrator in charge of the industry programs shall be responsible for planning, coordination, operation, and employment and supervision of personnel of the industry programs at the correctional institutions. The programs may include:

1. (1) the production, manufacture, raising, or processing of any product or item for use or sale by the department;
2. (2) entering into contractual agreements and other arrangements with other state agencies or political subdivisions for the employment of offenders, including employment involving the conservation and improvement of the natural resources of Indiana or its political subdivisions; and
3. (3) the employment, to the extent that is practical within the industry programs, of those offenders who have received specialized vocational training by the department.

(b) The department shall examine the feasibility of, and, if reasonably achievable, develop programs for:

1. (1) the production of products using recycled materials; or

2. (2) processing waste materials.

   As added by Acts 1979, P.L.120, SEC.3. Amended by P.L.10-1990, SEC.10; P.L.193-2025, SEC.2.