A proposal on California’a ballot could end what critics call government-sanctioned slavery in prisons. The state is one of 20 where incarcerated people can be forced to do work ranging from kitchen and janitorial duties to fighting wildfires. They typically make less than $1 per hour.
California State Rep. Lori Wilson, D, and the state’s legislative Black caucus are behind Proposition 6, which would stop forced labor as a criminal punishment in the state’s prisons and prevent inmates who refuse to work from being penalized.
The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution did abolish slavery and involuntary servitude more than a century ago, but not for people who have been convicted of crimes.
Wilson’s proposal would allow inmates to choose their jobs and give them access to programs she says would help them thrive. Supporters of Proposition 6 say forcing inmates to work is both a moral issue and a public safety concern.
However, they’re struggling to explain the proposal to voters, as another crime-related measure, Proposition 36, gets a lot of attention. This other proposition would increase penalties for repeat offenders of certain theft and drug-related crimes.
While the two measures aren’t directly connected, backers of Proposition 6 are worried their measure will get lost in the tough-on-crime theme of the “Yes on 36” campaign.
A poll in early October from The Public Policy Institute of California found that 41% of voters surveyed supported Proposition 6.
