Many people in California prisons and jails work for less than $1 an hour. Lawmakers are advancing two bills that could lead to wage increases for some of them.
Yes, prisons are a relic of slavery. They should be abolished. This isn’t good enough, even if it helps, it’s not where we should be.
Is it a relic of slavery, or just plain 'ol slavery?
…cuz prison labor is just plain 'ol slavery.
My uncle who was in prison told me he voted against this last time because he believes if they have to pay prisoners comparable wages, they’ll just give the work to contractors they are related to and charge the state.
He also told me that they can give 10 guys cleaning jobs, which gets them some spending money, time out of the cell, and extra perks when they would hire 1 outsider for that cost and have to deny access to that area while they work.
I’ve never been in prison, so I dont really know, but he and his old cell mate both expressed that the intent was good but the reality would be a negative for prisoners.
Your uncle is correct in that work isn’t given to inmates for their benefit or edification. It’s to line the pockets of those in charge. If the state wanted prisoners to more easily ‘re-integrate’ into society, they would let them form unions and pay them a decent wage for their labor. Instead, they’ll either abuse their authority to get the inmates to work for peanuts and pocket the difference, or they’ll pass the work to one of their cronies.
One of the roles of prison labor is to undermine organized labor outside of the prison. Prisoners are often employed outside of the prison in addition to doing work to maintain the prison. By forcing them to compete for jobs with slaves, it undermines non-incarcerated laborers’ bargaining power and pressures them to accept conditions closer to incarceration.
I don’t blame your uncle for his position; life in prison is extremely tedious, and the quality of what you’re given makes commissary essential. People outside need to organize with people inside to create a situation that benefits both.
