Understanding Proposition 6: California’s Failure to End of Involuntary Servitude in California Prisons
What is Proposition 6?
Proposition 6 was introduced to End Prison Labor. The proposition would amend the California Constitution to prohibit involuntary servitude in any form. It is lawful to force labor on people who are incarcerated in California. A Yes vote would have ended slavery in general, and specifically through the form of indentured servitude at prisons. A No vote would keep the provision in the constitution. California voted against it.
https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/6/
“Proposition 6 garnered support from Democratic party leaders, labor unions and dozens of advocacy groups who viewed their efforts as part of a national movement to end a racist legacy and abolish slavery.” Key supporters included Assemblymember Lori Wilson and organizations such as the ACLU California Action and there was no official opposition was submitted. Even with support and no opposition, California voted against it.
https://calmatters.org/politics/elections/2024/11/california-election-result-proposition-6-fails/
“The measure would have amended the state’s constitution to repeal language that allows involuntary servitude as a form of criminal punishment, making work assignments voluntary and allowing incarcerated people to prioritize their rehabilitation.”
https://calmatters.org/politics/elections/2024/11/california-election-result-proposition-6-fails/
What is prison labor?
Prison labor can be a voluntary or an involuntary labor that an incarcerated individual participates in for payment or is forced to participate as a part of punishment. They are often paid less than $1 an hour or paid nothing for doing work for a specific company or for the prison or jail itself. This can be a variety of jobs including firefighting, landscaping, cleaning, construction, or making clothing.
https://www.newsweek.com/california-keeps-slavery-prison-system-1981693
What are the fire camps and the California Conservation (Fire) Camps Program?
“[California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation] CDCR, in cooperation with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) and the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LAC FIRE), jointly operates 35 conservation camps, commonly known as fire camps, located in 25 counties across California. Two of the camps are for incarcerated women. CDCR employees oversee the fire camps, which are all minimum-security facilities.”
https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/facility-locator/conservation-camps/
“Since World War II, California has relied on a unique group of firefighters to battle its conflagrations: inmates. Prisoners who want to enter the Conservation Camp Program must meet security requirements and undergo two weeks of training. “ These crews are made up from incarcerated people who live in fire camps and are led by experts at CAL FIRE.
During the 2024 fires in Los Angeles, news has highlighted the efforts of incarcerated fire fighters. “Though their numbers have fluctuated over the years, they have often comprised approximately one-third of California’s firefighting force.”
“They earn between $2.90 and $5 a day depending on their duties—and slightly more when actively fighting a fire.” Even when actively in fires, while working 24 hours a day, fire camp individuals may only receive $34-36 a day.
If you would like to donate to the Anti Recidivism Coalition: https://antirecidivism.org/donate/
For those who have already donated, many of the incarcerated individuals have received new boots and new equipment. This upgrade is much needed because the incarcerated individuals were working will 30-year-old equipment while fighting the fires in 2024.
“Camp participants support state, local and federal government agencies as they respond to all types of emergencies such as fires, floods, and other natural or manmade disasters. Crews also maintain parks and assist with sand bagging during flood fighting operations and reforestation.”
https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/facility-locator/conservation-camps/
What is the historical context of slavery and indentured servitude?
Indentured servitude is a type of contract, usually unbalanced and favoring the owner of the contract. People will enter a contract to get passage into America, food, clothing, shelter, or money, in exchange for labor. https://thisvsthat.io/indentured-servants-vs-slaves
Slavery is when someone loses their personhood and they are considered property of the owner. Slaves are usually kidnapped and forced to do manual labor for no pay and in fear of severe consequences like whippings or death. There is no contract and it is not voluntary. https://thisvsthat.io/indentured-servants-vs-slaves
California has a history of slavery that can be dated back to when there were Spanish missions conquering the land and kidnapping Indigenous People and holding them hostage in camps and forcing them to work. This included men, women, and children. The Spanish also forced Catholicism on the Indigenous People to erase their culture.
What companies use prison labor?
Here are some companies that utilize the use of less than $1 an hour services or involuntary prison labor:
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Walmart: Manufacturing tasks
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-06-24/walmart-reviews-prison-labor-policy-after-civil-unrest-over-race -
McDonald’s: processing frozen foods https://www.mcdonalds.com/gb/en-gb/terms-and-conditions/modern-slavery-act.html
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Compaq: creating circuit boards. There is not much online regarding this company and its commitment to preventing involuntary labor.
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Wendy’s: processing frozen foods
https://www.wendys.com/sites/default/files/2018-04/2017%20Wendy%27s%20Supplier%20Code%20of%20Conduct_FINAL.pdf -
Sprint: call centers to provide 24/7 customer support. Sprint has publicly stated they are against involuntary or forced labor.
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Verizon: utilizes white-collar criminals to assist clients and has stated publicly none of the prisoners are forced.
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Avis: call centers. https://macmillan.yale.edu/glc
https://www.careeraddict.com/prison-labour-companies
With the current climate, there is a list of places to boycott: https://www.pb-resources.com/hubs/labor/index.html
What are companies that have been working to eliminate prison labor use in their companies?
Nintendo has taken serious steps, releasing a report “Forced Labor and Child Labor in Supply Chains Report” in 2024. They have implemented various human rights policies, conducted third-party audits, and developed action plans to mitigate these risks
The Company has taken the following steps to prevent and reduce the risk of forced labor and child labor occurring in its activities and supply chains:
• Implementation of various human rights policies and procedures to ensure forced labor and child labor is not taking place anywhere in its supply chains.
• Implementation of anti-forced and anti-child labor contractual clauses, standards, codes of conduct, and compliance checklists.
• Audit and monitoring of its suppliers through third-party audits
• Continuous internal monitoring of the Company’s socially responsible procurement conduct.
• Development of an action plan for addressing forced labor and child labor risks in its supply chains and remediation measures in the event of a reported or identified incident.
• Development of various risk and prioritization metrics to focus on the most severe risks of forced labor and child labor.
https://www.justice.gov/crt/involuntary-servitude-forced-labor-and-sex-trafficking-statutes-enforced