So not talking side on this but just a point of explanation. Most of the time when prisoners are doing paid work they are making a good bit more than they pocket. Still wages less than minimum wage but not just cents an hour. Most of that wage is garnished by the state. For things like the cost of imprisonment, victims funds, or the cost of public defence. It depends on the state and whether or not it is a state or federal prison. Whatever is left over is the cents an hour, it is usually deposited in the prisoners commissary account.
At that point it’s like… why pay them at all?
So they can say it’s not technically slavery.
It doesn’t matter if it’s slavery though. Slavery is legal for prisoners
It’s about the vibe, mannnn!
Spite, mostly.
So not talking side on this but just a point of explanation. Most of the time when prisoners are doing paid work they are making a good bit more than they pocket. Still wages less than minimum wage but not just cents an hour. Most of that wage is garnished by the state. For things like the cost of imprisonment, victims funds, or the cost of public defence. It depends on the state and whether or not it is a state or federal prison. Whatever is left over is the cents an hour, it is usually deposited in the prisoners commissary account.