Inmates to Be Paid $1 to Fill Out Census

State officials in Minneapolis are offering a small monetary incentive of $1 to get prison inmates to fill out their federal census questionnaires. That is good money for an inmate, and even with a price tag that could reach $5,600, officials say it’s a worthwhile way to reach the Census Bureau’s goal of 90% participation in the country’s prisons. “I think we can reach that level, but it would definitely be problematic without some incentive,� said Erik Skon, the state’s assistant commissioner for adult facilities. Tom Beaver, who coordinates census collection for six Midwestern states, including Minnesota, said he isn’t aware of any other state where inmates will be paid to fill out the seven-question form.