Laura Appleman

As a whole in society, we are not incredibly sympathetic towards prisoners having to do work. I think if you asked the average American, they would be like, good. But if you explained exactly how it worked, they would be a little more unsettled.

As a whole in society, we are not incredibly sympathetic towards prisoners having to do work. I think if you asked the average American, they would be like, good. But if you explained exactly how it worked, they would be a little more unsettled.

As a whole in society, we are not incredibly sympathetic towards prisoners having to do work. I think if you asked the average American, they would be like, good. But if you explained exactly how it worked, they would be a little more unsettled.

You don't really see the first prison labor until the beginning of the 19th century.

You don't really see the first prison labor until the beginning of the 19th century.

You don't really see the first prison labor until the beginning of the 19th century.

What quickly became common is something called the industrial prison. Prisoners were essentially rented out to for-profit companies for labor. They were putting together furniture. They were making clothes, making wagons, whatever was local. Originally, it was to recoup the expense of prisons. But then they realized, hey, we can make some money here.

What quickly became common is something called the industrial prison. Prisoners were essentially rented out to for-profit companies for labor. They were putting together furniture. They were making clothes, making wagons, whatever was local. Originally, it was to recoup the expense of prisons. But then they realized, hey, we can make some money here.

What quickly became common is something called the industrial prison. Prisoners were essentially rented out to for-profit companies for labor. They were putting together furniture. They were making clothes, making wagons, whatever was local. Originally, it was to recoup the expense of prisons. But then they realized, hey, we can make some money here.

The 13th Amendment outlaws slavery except when you have been convicted of a crime.

The 13th Amendment outlaws slavery except when you have been convicted of a crime.

The 13th Amendment outlaws slavery except when you have been convicted of a crime.

Things didn't really start going into the big time until the 80s, 90s, when mass incarceration really started booming. Costs skyrocketed and prison labor is the way that government is trying to pay for it.

Things didn't really start going into the big time until the 80s, 90s, when mass incarceration really started booming. Costs skyrocketed and prison labor is the way that government is trying to pay for it.

Things didn't really start going into the big time until the 80s, 90s, when mass incarceration really started booming. Costs skyrocketed and prison labor is the way that government is trying to pay for it.

Prison labor is classified as, quote, non-market work. So you don't have to pay them anything near the minimum wage.

Prison labor is classified as, quote, non-market work. So you don't have to pay them anything near the minimum wage.

Prison labor is classified as, quote, non-market work. So you don't have to pay them anything near the minimum wage.

All states are in on this. I mean, it's a great source of very low-cost labor.

All states are in on this. I mean, it's a great source of very low-cost labor.