800,000 incarcerated workers generate $11 billion annually while earning pennies. Seven states pay nothing. The Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act would change that.
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Call Your Representative
U.S. Capitol switchboard: (202) 224-3121
Here's what to say:
- I'm calling to ask the Senator to co-sponsor the Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act, Senate bill 4143.
- 800,000 people work in American prisons right now. The national average wage is 13 to 52 cents per hour. Seven states pay nothing.
- 76 percent of incarcerated workers face punishment including solitary confinement if they refuse to work. That is forced labor.
- This bill would require federal minimum wage and basic labor protections for incarcerated workers. Please co-sponsor it.
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Write Your Own Letter
Prefer to write in your own words? Use this as a starting point.
Dear [Senator/Representative name],
I am writing as a constituent from [city, state] about demand fair wages for incarcerated workers.
800,000 people work in American prisons right now. The national average wage is 13 to 52 cents per hour. Seven states pay nothing.
76 percent of incarcerated workers face punishment including solitary confinement if they refuse to work. That is forced labor.
The facts support this: 800,000 Incarcerated people working in state and federal prisons. $11 billion Annual value generated by prison labor. 76% Incarcerated workers who face punishment for refusing to work. $0.13-$0.52 National average hourly wage range for incarcerated workers.
I am asking you to take a public position on this issue and act accordingly. Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
[Your address]
Find your representative to send this directly.
Key Facts to Mention
Use these in your letter, call, email, or social post.
- 800,000 Incarcerated people working in state and federal prisons
- $11 billion Annual value generated by prison labor
- 76% Incarcerated workers who face punishment for refusing to work
- $0.13-$0.52 National average hourly wage range for incarcerated workers
Preview the full letter
The 13th Amendment abolished slavery with one exception: punishment for a crime. That exception built an industry. Today, 800,000 incarcerated people work in state and federal prisons generating $11 billion in annual value. Most earn between $0.13 and $0.52 per hour. Seven states pay nothing at all.
The ACLU found that 76 percent of incarcerated workers face punishment including solitary confinement if they refuse to work. Seventy percent received no job training. The same percentage cannot afford basic necessities like soap and phone calls on their wages.
Senator Cory Booker's Fair Wages for Incarcerated Workers Act (S. 4143) would require federal minimum wage for all incarcerated workers and extend basic labor protections. Colorado, Utah, and Nebraska have already removed the slavery exception from their state constitutions. Congress needs to act at the federal level.
This action is part of our Civil Rights coverage.