128
California enslaves 400 prisoners to fight wildfires.
(www.theguardian.com)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 09 Jan 2025
128 points (90.5% liked)
United States | News & Politics
7376 readers
448 users here now
founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
It is slavery, as allowed for under the US constitution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Penal_exception_clause
It's not involuntary, though. They have to apply for the program, and can stop if they want.
I'd like to introduce you to the concept of being "volun-told." Basically, it's "volunteer, or be forced. Your choice."
Unless no one volunteers. Then they're forced to do it upon threat of torture and further loss of rights, and usually more prison time added.
There is nothing voluntary about labor coerced.
Citation needed.
Have you tried thinking?
Just like you can quit your job any time you want?
Damn the consequences or any repercussions. Because there's always the freedom of being destitute.
Well, yes, just like me and my job, they can quit. What part of that suggests slavery?
They're incarcerated while I presume you are not. Apart from all the involuntary aspects of prison life, inmates are not allowed to negotiate individually or organize for better pay and conditions. They cannot choose a different employer. The freedom to choose to go to the fire camp or stay within the prison under conditions designed to coerce them to work isn't really freedom. They're slaves.
Huh, apropos name...
Do you think there aren't consequences for prisoners that refuse this "voluntary" service?