Forced labor in prisons in Nevada ends and national movement gains ground
Nevada has become the latest state to abolish forced labor and involuntary servitude as criminal punishments, voting on Tuesday to amend its constitution and protect incarcerated people from being compelled to work under threat of punishment. This victory reflects a growing national movement to address forced labor within U.S. prisons.
Previously, Nevada required its 10,000 or so incarcerated persons to work or participate in vocational training for 40 hours weekly unless medically exempt, with some earning as little as 35 cents per hour.
A win for the national movement against prison slavery
Nevada’s recent victory follows similar actions in Vermont, Oregon, Alabama, and Tennessee, where state constitutional changes ended exceptions for slavery and involuntary servitude in prisons.
In 2018, Colorado led the way by passing the first such amendment, but advocates stress that change hasn’t always been easy or immediate. In 2022, a group of Colorado prisoners filed a lawsuit against the state corrections department, alleging they were still being forced to work despite the constitutional amendment.
Advocates point to these ongoing challenges to underscore the need for robust enforcement and legal protections that guarantee true freedom from forced labor. Jamilia Land, co-founder of the Abolish Slavery National Network, emphasized to AP News that progress is possible but requires continued vigilance and commitment.
“The momentum we’ve built in Nevada, coupled with our achievements in seven other states, strengthens our resolve to continue this work nationwide. We are unwavering in our commitment to remove involuntary servitude from every state constitution.”