The Alabama Legislature has given final passage to a bill that allows prisons to contract with outside industries for inmates to produce products.

The Alabama House approved the Senate-passed bill late Tuesday on a 73-22 vote and it now goes to the governor for his review.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jim McClendon of Springville said the money earned by an inmate would go to pay his or her court costs, restitution and fines. He said the inmate would receive some of the money when released from prison.

Opposition to the bill mostly came from members of the black caucus, who complained that the inmates would mostly be used for "slave labor". Opponents of the bill also said it was taking jobs away from Alabama residents not in prison.