The prison complex doesn’t want you to call it that, but yes. The 13th amendment makes a specific exception for slavery if the person is imprisoned. That’s why prisoners “work” for way below minimum wage in a variety of jobs that they probably didn’t choose. Not to mention that the majority of prisoners are people of color…
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
That is correct. Not sure if you were trying to dispute my comment but to clarify, the remark I was making is that slavery =/= imprisonment on its own. Slavery = imprisonment + work.
It is torture on its own, which might be the more critical point. The extent varies, but spending time in most of the world’s prisons still break your mental health in ways that will only make reintegration back into society harder in the end.
We almost all know this already, which is the tragic part.
spending time in most of the world’s prisons still break your mental health in ways that will only make reintegration back into society harder in the end.
True only in specific cases: mostly your statement is bullshit.
There are far, far too many innocent people in prison: far too many who never deserve to be there. Many who fit the description of harder to reintegrate after the experience.
But prison absolutely can be the right thing for some. There are criminals who will not reintegrate without reform, and the prison system serves that purpose in more enlightened countries. Look at recidivism rates outside of the US to see how some people can reform with time away from society.
We need prisons. I expect 90% of people in prison are worse off from the experience but that 10% is important to society.
I’m not at all excusing it, but don’t prisoners technically get paid for their work? It’s just some horrifically pathetic wage like $0.50/hr or something like that.
Isn’t jail just slavery according to the 13th amendment? Iirc at least.
The prison complex doesn’t want you to call it that, but yes. The 13th amendment makes a specific exception for slavery if the person is imprisoned. That’s why prisoners “work” for way below minimum wage in a variety of jobs that they probably didn’t choose. Not to mention that the majority of prisoners are people of color…
Only if they force you to work.
Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
(emphasis mine)
That is correct. Not sure if you were trying to dispute my comment but to clarify, the remark I was making is that slavery =/= imprisonment on its own. Slavery = imprisonment + work.
It is torture on its own, which might be the more critical point. The extent varies, but spending time in most of the world’s prisons still break your mental health in ways that will only make reintegration back into society harder in the end.
We almost all know this already, which is the tragic part.
True only in specific cases: mostly your statement is bullshit.
There are far, far too many innocent people in prison: far too many who never deserve to be there. Many who fit the description of harder to reintegrate after the experience.
But prison absolutely can be the right thing for some. There are criminals who will not reintegrate without reform, and the prison system serves that purpose in more enlightened countries. Look at recidivism rates outside of the US to see how some people can reform with time away from society.
We need prisons. I expect 90% of people in prison are worse off from the experience but that 10% is important to society.
I’m not at all excusing it, but don’t prisoners technically get paid for their work? It’s just some horrifically pathetic wage like $0.50/hr or something like that.
Earning a pittance doesn’t mean they’re not slaves. They’re slaves because they can’t quit. Prisoners have basically zero agency in their lives.
Slavery doesn’t have anything to do with compensation. Slavery is about the absence of choice.
You are not wrong
Worker’s rights, unions, and the choice to quit…
Well in the US it is I guess
what is the alternative
Not… slavery?
what do you want to happen to people who commit crimes then
The Scandinavian system works
Not… Slavery? Nobody said prisoners need to be used as slave labour. The removal of freedom is sufficient punishment.