In a chilling revelation that has reignited national debate, the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) has released a new report exposing the systemic use of prison labor in the United States — a practice the organization likens to modern-day slavery. The report, titled “Prison Labor in the United States: The Business of Punishment”, details how incarcerated individuals are being exploited under forced labor conditions, often for pennies an hour, with little to no choice in the matter.
A System Hidden in Plain Sight
The United States is home to less than 5% of the world’s population — yet it holds nearly 25% of the world’s prison population. With over 1.2 million people currently serving time in state and federal prisons, the U.S. correctional system has long been criticized for its mass incarceration rates. But what the ITUC’s report brings into sharper focus is how that system is being monetized through what many call “prison slavery.”
The report outlines how incarcerated workers are often compelled to work in unsafe conditions, without proper training or labor rights, for shockingly low wages — sometimes as low as $0.13 an hour. In some states, prisoners aren’t paid at all. Refusing to work can result in punishments such as solitary confinement, loss of visitation rights, or denial of parole eligibility.
The 13th Amendment Loophole
At the center of this issue lies a clause in the 13th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. While the amendment abolished slavery in 1865, it included a significant exception: slavery and involuntary servitude are still legal as punishment for a crime.
“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
This clause has paved the way for what critics describe as a legalized form of slavery inside America’s prisons — disproportionately affecting Black and brown communities. According to the Sentencing Project, Black Americans are incarcerated at nearly five times the rate of white Americans.
Who Benefits?
The ITUC’s findings suggest a complex web of beneficiaries — including private corporations, state governments, and correctional institutions. Prison labor is often used to manufacture everything from furniture to military equipment, and to provide services such as food preparation, laundry, and even customer service for government agencies.
Some of the corporations linked to prison labor — either directly or indirectly — include major household names. While many of these companies have stated that they are unaware of or do not directly manage prison labor programs, the opacity of the supply chain often leaves room for unethical practices to go unchecked.
The Human Cost
Beyond the economics, the human cost of this system is enormous. Incarcerated individuals working in these conditions often lack basic labor protections: no right to unionize, no worker’s compensation if injured, and no pathway to upward mobility. These jobs rarely provide the kind of training or education that would help with rehabilitation or re-entry into society after release.
Furthermore, the emotional toll is immense. Many inmates describe their labor as coercive and dehumanizing, where the daily routine mimics slavery more than rehabilitation. Families of prisoners have also spoken out, saying their loved ones are being punished twice — once by incarceration, and again through exploitative work.
Calls for Reform Are Growing
The ITUC is not alone in sounding the alarm. Human rights organizations, lawmakers, and advocacy groups have been pushing for reform — calling for the removal of the 13th Amendment’s exception clause and the implementation of fair labor standards within the prison system.
States like California and Colorado have already taken steps to address these issues. In 2020, Colorado voters approved a ballot measure that removed the exception for slavery from the state constitution. In California, a similar measure failed to pass in 2022, but the push continues.
Representative Nikema Williams of Georgia and Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon have introduced federal legislation — the Abolition Amendment — which seeks to end the 13th Amendment loophole. While support is growing, the road to constitutional change remains steep and politically charged.
What’s Next?
The ITUC’s report serves as a critical reminder that reforming America’s criminal justice system isn’t just about reducing prison populations — it’s also about protecting human rights within prison walls.
Ending exploitative prison labor will require more than just public outcry. It demands legislative action, corporate accountability, and a cultural shift in how we view incarceration. Rehabilitation, not exploitation, must be the cornerstone of any just and humane correctional system.
Until then, the voices of those inside — working against their will for next to nothing — will continue to echo the old abolitionist cry: “Am I not a man and a brother?”
