Many African American inmates are being forced to work under adverse conditions and with little or no compensation. An exhaustive two-year investigation by the AP revealed a controversial little-known aspect of the American food industry: prison labor. According to the study, products manufactured or processed by prisoners are in the supply chain of popular brands such as Frosted Flakes, Ball Park, Gold Medal, and Coca-Cola, and are available on the shelves of big-name supermarkets such as Kroger, Target, Aldi, and Whole Foods.
The investigation revealed the vastness of the sectors benefiting from prison labor, as well as the disproportionate number of people of color among the US prison population, who are, in some cases, forced to work under threat of punishment. This raises serious questions about equity and human rights within the US criminal justice system. There are efforts underway at the federal and state levels to modify the 13th Amendment of the United States Constitution that allows for such a practice.
Incarcerated workers face terrible working conditions while contributing to industries suffering from labor shortages, performing some of the most dangerous and dirtiest jobs in the country. Additionally, these prisoners are often not covered by workers’ compensation or federal safety standards, leaving them excluded from filing formal complaints about their working conditions. The AP investigation uncovered the risks, challenges, and tragic cases of workers behind bars, revealing incidents of serious injuries on the job and cases of sexual harassment and abuse, sometimes perpetrated by civilian supervisors or correctional officers.
The history of American prison labor dates back to the pre-emancipation era, when slaves were often imprisoned and then sublet by local authorities. After the Civil War, the exemption clause of the 13th Amendment provided legal cover for imprisoning thousands of young men, primarily African Americans, for minor crimes. In Louisiana and Alabama, inmates have filed class-action lawsuits over the past four months, accusing states and outside companies of forcing them to perform cheap or free labor, calling these practices forms of slavery.
The current situation of prison workers has led to class action lawsuits in Louisiana and Alabama, with some officials refuting the comparisons of working conditions with slavery. There are calls for reform and reinvestment in rehabilitative, vocational, and educational programs designed to help people overcome and successfully return to communities. The issue of prison labor and the impact it has on the workforce, supply chains, and workers’ rights continues to be a topic of concern, prompting further investigation and calls for change.