SAN QUENTIN (BCN) -- Inmates at San Quentin State Prison this week donated nearly  $40,000 to three Bay Area victims' services groups, according to the state  Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.

The donations came from a multilateral program started by state  and private interests as a rehabilitative effort to provide inmates with work  experience and job training.

The inmates work for private companies in prison. Each inmate's  earnings are divided equally into five areas: room and board, family support,  mandatory savings, inmate trust accounts and compensation to crime victims.

On Monday, Robert Wong, the acting warden at San Quentin,  presented checks totaling $39,115 from the crime victims' fund to  representatives of three Bay Area charities: Marin Abused Women's Services,  Sunny Hills and Bay Area Women Against Rape.

The organizations received $11,746, $11,746 and $15,622,  respectively.
     
(Copyright 2009, Bay City News, All rights reserved.)