Monroe County Commissioners say they’ll pay jail inmates $15 an hour to prepare this year’s annual holiday luncheon.

Last week the commissioners sent out a luncheon email invitation to all county employees noting that the inmate trustees would be making the meal. Inmate trustees are among those the best behaved at the jail.

Monroe County Public Defense Attorney Stuart Baggerly says that at first they thought it was a joke because the county luncheon has always been an extravagant event.

“You gotta understand the background that the commissioners have always put on a very lavish holiday luncheon for years." Baggerly says. "It’s been something that people look forward to for a month.”

He says that it also didn’t consider the vegetarian, Jewish, or Muslim employee’s dietary requirements either.

Baggerly says some were worried that inmates may have an ax to grind with county employees and food tainting was possible. Others worried about unfair labor practices of using their services for free.

“Possible contamination but then also we had a big concern with making the guys, you know it’s kind of indentured servitude,” Baggerly says.

Inmates can’t have cash but can be compensated other ways.

Monroe County Jail Commander Sam Crowe says that each inmate has personal commissary accounts within the jail.

“I’m sure if the commissioner’s office is going to pay the trustees for preparing the meal then they can do it in one of those manners,” Crowe says.

Baggerly says he's happy to hear the inmates will be paid for their services. He says the cash in their account will come full circle as those who make the food will be able to buy more food.