Prison labor is legal due to the writing in the 13th Amendment. It states, “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for a crime… have been duly convicted, shall exist in the United States. This means that if someone is a convicted felon, then they are required to go work when told to even if they are only getting a dollar an hour. In addition, some states aren’t required to pay prisoners for working. This is despised of due to the fact that it is modern day slavery. These people are now standing up and starting to fight for what they believe is right. For example, prisoners in several states including California have began to go on strikes by not showing up to their workstations throughout the day. These strikes aren’t violent, but they get the point across.
Should prisoners be forced to work in life threatening situations such as wildfires and blizzards? Do prisoners need to be paid minimum wage or not at all? What should be changed to prevent prison labor?
I think it is justifiable that inmates be used as volunteer firefighters. From what I've read the inmates are used to clear brush and create fire lines, not actually combat the flames directly. In addition they don't have proper firefighter training to directly engage the blaze. Given that the inmates aren't in direct contact with the fire makes their volunteer service justifiable.
ReplyDeleteI think its a good thing for inmates to serve their time helping the society. Being a firefighter or doing other services, is a rehabilitation for these men. It may give them new ideas of what they want to do when they get out. -Madison S.
ReplyDeleteI think prisoners shouldn't be forced into life threatening situations unless they volunteer to. Prisoners should still be paid but a little less than minimum wage because they are already given housing and food. -Doug D.
ReplyDeleteI think that prisoners should have a choice to work in deadly situations. If their crime is not punishable by death, then they shouldn't have to be put in situations that could kill them. I do think they should be paid for their work if they decide to do it, but less than minimum wage. They already have amenities in prison given to them, however the money they make could help them better their lives after prison.
ReplyDelete-Graysen G.
This is one of those few and far between scenarios that remind me how even our great Constitution is (still) in need of Amendments; certainly, the issue of unpaid/involuntary labor needs attention in the realm of government/law. Because it seems like such an obvious answer - the USA is called the *LAND OF THE FREE*! - it's hard to believe that this is still a debate, and makes me wonder which of the founding fathers advocated for that chaining phrase.
ReplyDeleteI think that inmates should be paid for their work however, they should have the choice of whether or not they want to work in life threatening situations. An inmate should not die serving his few months of punishment.
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