by Justice Stride
Forced Labor: A new report submitted by the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) and drafted by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) raises significant concerns about the exploitation of incarcerated workers in the United States, framing prison labor practices as a form of forced labor that violates international human rights standards.
International Standards at Risk
The report emphasizes that these practices conflict with international conventions. The International Labor Organization (ILO) defines forced labor as “all work or service which is exacted from any person under the menace of any penalty and for which the said person has not offered himself voluntarily”. The U.S. has not ratified key ILO conventions on forced labor, and the report argues that its prison labor system is inconsistent with these international norms.
Working Conditions and Compensation
Incarcerated workers are paid extremely low wages—often less than $1 per hour—and are sometimes forced to perform dangerous or degrading tasks, such as handling bodies during the COVID-19 pandemic or working in hazardous industries. The report also points out that many states and the federal government use prison labor for essential services, including hospital laundry and morgue work, especially during emergencies.
Disciplinary Measures and Lack of Rights
Refusal to work can result in severe consequences, including loss of privileges, extended sentences, or placement in solitary confinement. The report cites numerous legal cases and state regulations that reinforce the coercive nature of prison labor, with courts consistently ruling that the 13th Amendment allows for such practices.
Advocacy and Recommendations
The ITUC and ACLU call for reforms to bring U.S. prison labor practices into alignment with international human rights standards. They urge the U.S. to ratify relevant ILO conventions and to abolish mandatory prison labor, ensuring that all work is voluntary and fairly compensated.
The report draws attention to what it describes as a modern form of forced labor embedded within the U.S. justice system. Advocates argue that the country must address these issues to uphold its international human rights commitments and ensure the dignity and rights of incarcerated individuals.
Relevant links:
https://mega.nz/file/WpJjBDLL#8eRCw_xOXJNOGEy-xJxjKOFWCO8EECu66LzQCOi0moY
https://www.youtube.com/@HarveyTalksPrison/videos
https://www.tiktok.com/@second_chancer/video/7521824663396257055
U.S. Prisons Under Investigation
Jesse Crosson, a TikTok creator, known for sharing content about his prison experience has posted videos highlighting that US prisons are currently under investigation by an international body for violating labor standards, which includes concerns about forced labor practices within the prison system.
The following video is about slavery in American prisons. Right or wrong the 13th amendment allows it. Harvey Seidel talks about how little the incarcerated are paid and the consequences of not working. He also talks how prisons are getting rich off the incarcerated. #13thamendment #prisonslavery #prisonlife
For an older article by Wayne T. Dowdy, please check this one out and feel free to comment on any of this content. Thank you!