California's Proposition 6, a measure to end involuntary labor in state prisons, was recently rejected by voters, a significant setback for advocates pushing to eradicate forced prison labor. Supported by Democratic leaders, labor unions, and advocacy groups, Prop. 6 aimed to change California's constitution, making prison work assignments voluntary and enabling incarcerated people to focus on rehabilitation over forced labor.
"While it's disappointing that our measure to remove slavery from California's constitution was not approved by the voters, this setback does not end the fight," stated Assemblymember Lori Wilson, co-sponsor of the measure. California's prison labor, often mandatory and paid at rates below $1 per hour, involves tasks such as packaging and manufacturing goods. Those unable to perform their work due to illness or other personal reasons can face disciplinary actions, including loss of visitation rights, highlighting what supporters of Prop. 6 deem "a highway for exploitation."
The measure's failure comes despite a national trend of states removing involuntary servitude from their constitutions. Nevada, for instance, passed a similar measure with 60% voter support, possibly due to clearer ballot language explicitly referencing slavery. California's ballot, however, did not include the term "slavery," using instead "involuntary servitude." "When I saw the words' involuntary servitude,' I thought, 'This might take some explaining for the voters,'" remarked Mark Baldassare from the Public Policy Institute of California, noting that unclear language may have influenced the outcome.
Proponents of Prop. 6 argue that California's laws prioritize forced labor over rehabilitation, contributing to high recidivism rates. "A lot of the programs that are vital to rehabilitation are held at the same time as the majority of the forced work assignments," explained Lawrence Cox from Legal Services for Prisoners with Children. This structure limits incarcerated individuals' opportunity for self-improvement, impacting their reintegration post-incarceration.
Critics like Carmen Cox from ACLU California Action emphasize that "nothing about prison slavery is good for rehabilitation," adding that California must prioritize educating the public on the impacts of forced prison labor, paving the way for future change.
Link: CalMatters
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