California, Nevada Consider Banning Prison Labor

In November, voters in California and Nevada will decide on measures to ban forced prison labor by removing constitutional language linked to the legacy of slavery. The proposals aim to protect incarcerated individuals from being compelled to work under threat of punishment, with many earning less than $1 an hour for various tasks. Approximately 10,000 people are incarcerated in Nevada, where all inmates are required to work or participate in vocational training unless medically exempt. Advocates like Jamilia Land of the Abolish Slavery National Network emphasize the historic significance of this election, coinciding with Vice President Kamala Harris' candidacy as the first Black and Asian American woman nominated for president. Other states, including Colorado, Alabama, and Tennessee, have recently eliminated similar exceptions, although changes were gradual. Colorado's efforts have led to legal challenges, highlighting the ongoing struggle for rights among incarcerated individuals.