(a) As used in this Code section, the term "wearing apparel" means eyeglasses, hearing aids, clothing, and similar items worn on the person of the employee.

(b) When action by an inmate in one of the penal institutions operated by the department results in damage to an item of wearing apparel of an employee of the institution, the department shall compensate the employee for the loss in the amount of the repair cost, the replacement value, or the cost of the item of wearing apparel, whichever is less.

(c) Such losses shall be compensated only in accordance with procedures to be established by the department.