• Melllvar@startrek.website
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    3 months ago

    While I’d agree they deserve better pay, etc. these inmates volunteer for the work. Calling them “slaves” is ridiculous.

    • Dessalines@lemmy.mlOP
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      3 months ago

      Wrong. They are slaves under the 13th amendment of the US, which explicitly allows slavery as punishment for a crime. Some more on this:

      The US currently operates a system of slave labor camps, including at least 54 prison farms involved in agricultural slave labor. Outside of agricultural slavery, Federal Prison Industries operates a multi-billion dollar industry with ~ 52 prison factories , where prisoners produce furniture, clothing, circuit boards, products for the military, computer aided design services, call center support for private companies. 1, 2, 3

      • Melllvar@startrek.website
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        3 months ago

        It’s not involuntary, though. They have to apply for the program, and can stop if they want.

        • theonlytruescotsman@sh.itjust.works
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          3 months ago

          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.

        • PunnyName@lemmy.world
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          3 months ago

          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.

            • CrimeDadA
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              3 months ago

              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.

        • GeeDubHayduke@lemmy.dbzer0.com
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          3 months ago

          I’d like to introduce you to the concept of being “volun-told.” Basically, it’s “volunteer, or be forced. Your choice.”

        • Chuymatt@beehaw.org
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          3 months ago

          I might feel better about this program if they’re allowed to join after they get out of prison. But, because they were in prison, they are not allowed to join fire brigades. I feel that is cruel, and stupid.