The department may provide for assistance of prisoners on their discharge; for the support of their families while the prisoners are in confinement; or for the payment, either in full or ratably, of their obligations acknowledged by them in writing or which have been reduced to judgment by the allowance of moderate wages, to be paid from the operation, maintenance, farm and construction appropriations of the institution in which they are confined. Until the prisoner's final discharge, the funds arising from the wages shall be under the control of the officer in charge of the institution and shall be used for the benefit of the prisoner, the prisoner's family and other obligations specified in this section. Earnings by inmates working in the prison industries and the retention and distribution thereof shall be governed by ss. 303.01(4) and (8) and 303.06(2).
Wis. Stat. § 301.31