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coalition_unwilling

(14,180 posts)

7. There's so much to be outraged about in America these days and this

Reply to obamanut2012 (Reply #5)

Fri Jun 22, 2012, 11:06 AM

Jun 2012

seems like yet another issue to add to a very long list.

There was a sense in the other DU thread that there are a lot of inmates doing a lot of excessive time and working for little or no wages. Refusal to work resulted in some pretty draconian treatement.

Does that combination rise to the level of 'involuntary servitude'?

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Is forced prison labor 'slavery' under color of the law? [View all] coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 OP

Color of law is now 'green' (as in money). Corporations OWN this fucking place. -eom Huey P. Long Jun 2012 #1

So has 'slavery' slipped back in through the prison system, in your opinion? coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #3

Yes. And taken lots of jobs with it. More heads of households could be employed if nanabugg Jun 2012 #50

Prison labor is also used to supress wages in the "free" market. OffWithTheirHeads Jun 2012 #2

Good point. Is your sense that 'slavery' has returned to the USA coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #4

Precisely it's not just the inmates that have become captives of the system, Uncle Joe Jun 2012 #15

I believe it morally and ethically is obamanut2012 Jun 2012 #5

There's so much to be outraged about in America these days and this coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #7

Yes it is, and it is permitted by the constitution per the 13th ammendment FarCenter Jun 2012 #6

I wonder how many Americans know that the Constitution coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #8

Traditionally, convicts received sentences of "N years at hard labor" FarCenter Jun 2012 #16

I've heard of chain gangs, but thought they were a distant relic of coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #21

One theory of prisons is that they should be so unpleasant that no one wants to come back FarCenter Jun 2012 #25

Oh, I get the deterrent principle behind 'hard labor' but it should be tied to coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #26

I think that historically prison stays were short; you got out quickly dead or alive. FarCenter Jun 2012 #28

Any idea why the balance tipped in that direction? coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #31

It was due to high recidivism rates and the need to "get criminals off the streets" FarCenter Jun 2012 #34

80 years of hard labor for weed in Lousiana. Go Vols Jun 2012 #39

+1 hifiguy Jun 2012 #9

This makes me very sad. If the prison system coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #10

I don't know that there's much of an "if" anymore... antigone382 Jun 2012 #22

What area\university (if it's not prying unduly)? Your description coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #27

Southern middle Tennessee. antigone382 Jun 2012 #32

Actually, I'm not sure the exemption is legal. Sirveri Jun 2012 #46

Citizenship, Labor, and Human Rights are denied to Slaves of the State, see Ruffin... prisonslavery1 Jun 2012 #52

Basically, yes Aerows Jun 2012 #11

First of all, thank you for the link.Will read later today. Your points and stats coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #14

I will admit some ignorance, but I thought work programs in prisons were voluntary aikoaiko Jun 2012 #12

You and I both (on the "some ignorance" front), but I have heard and coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #13

Yes, I think it voluntary and coercion is sometimes fuzzy. aikoaiko Jun 2012 #19

Read that article I linked above Aerows Jun 2012 #17

It is. It's allowed legally. Solly Mack Jun 2012 #18

What everyone else said. Starry Messenger Jun 2012 #20

Only if you're serving life without parole cthulu2016 Jun 2012 #23

Excellent distinction and one that bears repeating. Thanks - n/t coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #24

The 13th Amendment explicitly exempts forced labor as punishment upon conviction of a crime. backscatter712 Jun 2012 #29

It may be constitutional, but there was a time before passage of the coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #30

Technically, the prisoners get "paid" Blue_Tires Jun 2012 #33

A small cash wage, plus they get room, board, and clothing FarCenter Jun 2012 #35

but private prisons get housing costs reimbursed by the federal gov't Blue_Tires Jun 2012 #36

Slavery (involuntary peonage) is defined by ability to quit. Sirveri Jun 2012 #47

May be a little off topic, but your comment on 23-hour-a-day lock down is something Senator sad sally Jun 2012 #37

Not off topic at all, espeically if the penalty for refusing to work coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #41

Is a Fine slavery? One_Life_To_Give Jun 2012 #38

Interesting points you raise. Up thread you will find a sub-thread between coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #40

Another issue with prison labor that isn't discussed often - haele Jun 2012 #42

This is a deeply moving response and I hope you will coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #43

What is to be done? prisonslavery1 Jun 2012 #44

Thank you for your contribution and welcome to DU! I have been coalition_unwilling Jun 2012 #45

Even wothout forced labor, private prisons are legalized slavery Nevernose Jun 2012 #48

Thanks #45 CU, prisonslavery1 Jun 2012 #49

Nevernose, prisonslavery1 Jun 2012 #51